Amseb eyes a-goal-a-game

...player has fantastic start to life in Botswana

For years, Obry Amseb has threatened to break into the main-stream of Namibian football with some cracking goals for the likes of African Stars and Civics.

The striker would always step up in big games, scoring when the attention is highest as he did when he helped African Stars to the Standard Bank Super Cup in 2015. On that occasion, a 35-metre thunderbolt of a shot led the Samba Boys to a 1-0 win over Tigers, with Amseb walking away with the man-of-the-match accolade for that game.

Last year, while playing for Civics in the final of the MTC NFA Aweh Cup, Amseb again reminded fans of his ability as he scored the opening goal in what turned out to be a 3-2 triumph over Mighty Gunners.

Having secured a move to Botswana in January, Amseb has now taken that country’s league by storm after a sensational start to his career for Masitaoka. The striker - along with his compatriot Ivan Kamberipa, who plays as a central defender - has helped the team maintain a four-game unbeaten run.

Amseb has found the back of the net four times, which includes a goal on debut and a brace during his second game for Masitaoka.

Such has been the Namibian’s impact at his new club that he is already the highest scorer for the team with his contribution of four goals.

The PlayMaker got in touch with the red-hot striker to find out what is driving his recent form, and what aspirations he has for the rest of the season.

The PlayMaker: You have had an awesome start at Masitaoka, scoring four goals in four matches in the league. What is the secret?

Basically, there is no secret when it comes to me scoring goals, I am just applying basics. I haven’t played football where you have competitive back-toback games in a long time. [So] I am trying to do the basics and get myself into that box and get some goals.

TP: Has not playing club football

made you hungry for goals?

I haven’t played club football for at least three to four years and eish, it’s been tough. The hunger is still there to score goals and play football, which is the bottom-line, but I’m really happy to score goals again.

TP: You are known as a good freekick taker and have already scored one that side. Do you practice them and will we see more free-kick goals?

You know it has been years [that I have taken free kicks]. It is like muscle memory, how to take free kicks. I do practice them now and then… I know how to put them away and so if given a chance, in a tight game, I can pick my spot with a set-piece. So I back myself with that.

TP: When you were at African Stars, you at times went a few games without scoring. What has changed in Botswana? Perhaps a different role?

At African Stars, I played more as a winger than a striker. I was assisting more with the goals, but in Botswana I’m playing as a 9, so

I’m more directly towards the goal.

I am connecting play as I’m always in the box. So, the tap-ins [and loose balls] I’m there, and it’s easier to score goals as I’m a striker now this side.

TP: Speaking of roles, what kind of formations is Masitaoka playing and how are you fitting in?

The system we use here is 4-3-3. That is when we are attacking, but when defending we go 4-5-1, with all the players getting behind the ball. I understand the rules of being a striker as I have been around the block for a few years now... I understand when we play the low block and when we have to do the counter-attacking, I am the first man to go up. So yes, that is my role now.

TP: Do you have a target in mind when it comes to how many goals you’d like to have by the end of the season?

Yes, my target is a goal a game. I just want to keep that minimum goal for myself, if possible. But I am not putting pressure on myself since I haven’t played many yet. So, I prefer a goal a game [as a target] for myself to gain back the confidence.

TP: Lastly, over the years, you have been getting regular call-ups to the Brave Warriors without really getting a full run. Do you think your form shows that you deserve an extended run of minutes for the national team?

When it comes to the national team, you are picked based on merit and if you deserve it, you play and get a run in the team. I just have to pull up my socks because for a number of years there wasn’t football back home, and it was difficult to convince the selectors to pick me. Now that I got an opportunity to play football, I know I stand a better chance to get a long run in playing games. That is the hope, to get more caps. But I put no pressure on myself. It is all about improving myself as a footballer and helping my nation with better results when called upon.