STORIE LORRIE
A column featuring the hottest news in Namibian football, around players, coaches, teams and possible transfers.
Striker Deryl Goagoseb has returned home following unsuccessful trials in South Africa. The highly-rated striker was attempting to get a place outside of the country with Black Leopards as his intended destination but an injury picked up while there, put the move in jeopardy. In the end nothing came of it and the player, who last played for the Brave Warriors during the African Nations Championships (CHAN) against Zambia in January this year, will hope club football is in full swing in Namibia when he returns to full fitness.
Namibian international Peter Shalulile has seemingly been sending coded messages this season when scoring goals for Mamelodi Sundowns. The star striker, prior to this weekend’s action had scored a headed goal, one with his right foot and another goal with his left for the defending DStv Premiership champions to signal his intent to continue his rich vein of form. With that though, instead of the customary leaping goal celebration, has come a finger-onlip gesture which suggests that the player may be sending a message to his naysayers. The question is, after all his remarkable exploits, is there still somebody doubting his pedigree?
Several reports have earmarked Tura Magic player Uetuuru Kambato as a player who is on trials outside the country. The forward player, who is 23 years old, has reportedly been spotted in several countries, according to the rumour mill. Some say he is in South Africa while others claim he is on the verge of joining a team in the Botswana Premier League to become the latest player after Wendell Rudath to make that country his new home. Official word from his club, though, is that the player is indeed on trials but that it is too premature to list either a country or team, until the deal is done.
Lazarus Kaimbi, who remains active in Malaysia where he last played in the first tier of that country, is seemingly keeping fit after the league ended. The striker was signed to Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) during the last campaign and is listed as the club’s captain on their official Wikipedia page. Kaimbi is likely to return for a few more seasons in Asia. His team ended in seventh spot in the Malaysian Premier League.
Striker Sadney Urikhob is reportedly on his way back to Thailand. Last season, the player turned out for Chiangmai in the Thai League 2 where he made 17 appearances while scoring nine goals. Despite the impressive return, his contract was not renewed. But Urikhob is said to be back in Thailand where he seems to have made a home for himself after trying to play in several other countries like Indonesia and a short-lived stint in Tanzania, where he turned out for Young Africans
Midfielder Marius Kotze has attracted attention from East Africa after returning to form in recent games. The former Under-20 international is now signed to Tigers and has impressed fans with his ball playing abilities. A move abroad comes at a good time for the midfielder, who was once regarded as one of Namibia’s leading lights. While things at national team level never really panned out for the player, a move will resurrect his once promising career.
In the absence of regular captain Zenatha Coleman who is unavailable for the Brave Gladiators for the Cosafa Women’s Championship, the team is likely to be led by Emma Naris. A completely different player from Coleman, Naris is expected to provide a style of leadership that is more on being vocal. As a player, her technical ability is second to none and she has the added bonus of helping out when the chips are down as she is quite competitive in the heart of midfield. Read more on the Brave Gladiators’ Cosafa Women’s Championship participation inside.
Former Under-20 national team forward Terdius Uiseb is close to a deal in South Africa after reports suggested that the player is on trials in that country. The left-footed Uiseb was long touted as a future star, having represented Namibia in several youth teams. Now 27 years old, the player who has played in South Africa before (with Milano United and Stellenbosch), is looking for a return to the big time. Having moved between Orlando Pirates and Tigers, the centre forward has previously been called up to the Brave Warriors for three different squads but has yet to make an appearance for the senior national team.