Eliphas Shivute

Eliphas "Safile" Shivute (born 27 September 1974) is a Namibian retired international footballer.

He retired from football due to a knee injury in 2002 after a career spent in Chinese and European football, as well as domestically. Shivute became the first Namibian to play for a top-level side in Europe, and also, is the man who scored the first international goal for the Brave Warriors.

Club career Born in Olukonda, Shivute grew up in Kuisebmond, Walvis Bay and, affectionately known as Safile (Elifas spelled backwards), started playing in 1989 for local side Blue Waters, and later Eleven Arrows before moving to another Chinese top league club Shenzhen Ping'an Kejian where he played on loan until December 2001. Later he played a major role in the transfer of Namibian Rudolph Bester to that club. With Namibia he was runner-up at 1997 and 1999 COSAFA Cup. where he scored two goals in a 3-4 loss to Ivory Coast. He made his debut for the Brave Warriors in an October 1992 World Cup qualification match against Madagascar in 49 games for them.

Playing style Namibia Today Sport describe him as striker with much improvisation and audacity, a great finisher, and with flair, speed, and shooting power in both foot and he was a good header. 1999

Individual Namibian Sportsman of the Year: 1997 (award attributed by Namibia National Sport Council)