Kamberipa eyes central defence slot

...defender ready to compete for Warriors position

“I would prefer playing centre back because it helps me read the game more and it helps me communicate more with my teammates and organise the team from behind.”

“Football is all about competition and it helps you bring your A-game. So, I am up for the competition here and I respect each and every individual whoI am competing with.”

Namibia’s central defensive partnership in the last few Brave Warriors matches has changed quite a bit.

In fact, over the 14 matches the national team played in all competitions, only six times were the same two players picked to play as centre backs for the country.

That preferred combination was that of Ananias Gebhardt and Charles Hambira, which only changed after the former picked up an injury.

But one name that has consistently been part of the chosen back line during most matches is that of Ivan ‘Ice’ Kamberipa.

The defender was involved in 11 of Namibia’s 14 games, albeit in the right back slot.

The player rose through the ranks playing for the likes of Rebels, African Stars and Tigers, mostly as a central defender, and it came as a surprise that he featured that many times as a right back.

Now, though, with a few good matches playing as a central defender for Masitaoka in the Botswana Premier League, the defender appears ready to return to his preferred slot.

In an exclusive interview with The PlayMaker, Kamberipa explains that he actually has a better liking for playing in central defence.

“I would prefer playing centre back because it helps me read the game more and it helps me communicate more with my teammates and organise the team from behind,” he says from his base in Namibia’s neighbouring country.

“Playing centre back gives you a clear picture of what is going to happen in front of you. You see a clear picture of what is in front of you.”

Kamberipa has smoothly slotted into the heart of Masitaoka’s defence following his move to the club in February. The defender has now played seven games since making his debut, along with compatriot Obry Amseb, on 14 February.

He describes the experience as being enjoyable so far as the players have some of the qualities he is most keen on seeing in his teammates.

“I enjoy playing with players who are smart and players who are vocal in terms of communication. I also like players who are strong in the tackle, heading and anticipating when something is going to happen that is going to cause harm to the team,” he explained.

Now back in his favourite centre back slot at club level, Kamberipa says he is ready to compete for a similar position in the national team. “Football is all about competition and it helps you bring your A-game. So, I am up for the competition here and I respect each and every individual who I am competing with,” he says of the likes of Lubeni Haukongo, Kennedy Amutenya, Tiberius Lombard and the aforementioned pair of Hambira and Gebhardt; players who have all been called up to fill that role in recent Brave Warriors camps.

While Kamberipa has been finding his feet at Masitaoka, the team has had to deal with a change in coaches. The team chose to part ways with their two co-head coaches Thatayaone Mothuba and Ofentse Mapeu, following a run of two consecutive losses. They were replaced by Michael Mogaladi, who was instilled as head coach, with Innocent Ranku appointed as assistant coach.

The Namibian is not fazed by this development, and insists it is part of the game.