Augousti targets brand expansion

Black Africa’s Denzil Haoseb and Willy Stephanus may still play in South Africa’s Premier Soccer League (PSL), Bloemfontein Celtic owner Jimmy Augousti told Namibian Sun yesterday. Speaking to this reporter in an exclusive interview at the Hilton Hotel, Augousti, who was on a fact-finding business mission in the country, said that while the pair were not considered ready for the demands of the PSL earlier this year, the club is keeping their eyes on them. “We were very impressed with what we saw during the [Brave Warriors versus Nigeria] match in June. But the timing was a little bit off since they could only join us for three days, as they were competing in the Cosafa Cup,” he said, reflecting on the failed bid to sign the two players. “So it is always a challenge to get players who are not used to the environment and don’t know people in the city to perform to their best ability,” he added. As such the club saw if fit to rather let the players continue their development at their local club. But while Augousti said that Celtic is monitoring the players, they might only take a look at Haoseb and Stephanus during the preseason for the 2014/15 campaign. “Our coach Ernst Middendorp feels that he has the full complement of players in his squad for this season. But I repeat the door is not closed for Willy and Denzil,” he said. While the Black Africa pair was on top of the to-get list of Namibian players, Augousti also made his admiration for other local players known. “I was very impressed with [Tura Magic’s] Neville Tjiueza and Larry Horaeb [now of AmaZulu in the PSL]. I think Larry is an outstanding right back and it is a pity AmaZulu moved so fast to snap him up,” he said. While Augousti, who is a renowned property developer in Bloemfontein, is here predominantly for other business opportunities, the Celtic boss also said that since the club is always looking to expand the brand in the region, he will discuss creating a link with one of the local teams. “When I was here in June I met [Black Africa’s] Ranga Haikali and yesterday [Wednesday evening], I was introduced to one of the directors of African Stars... So the possibility is there to link up but we still need to sit down formally to work out a policy with the team that is open to the idea,” he said. Vibrant fans Another area of interest in expansion of the Celtic brand is the setting up of a supporters’ club in Namibia - something Augousti said he has discussed with former Brave Warriors midfielder Congo Hindjou. Celtic is well-known for their vibrant fans and Augousti explained that getting the fan base was not that easy. “Celtic got relegated in 2001 because of a boardroom squabble and that hurt the people of Bloemfontein... And when I took over in November 2001, there was about 15 people in the stands,” he said. “But three years later we were promoted and almost unanimously the people decided to throw their weight behind the team and everything just grew from there,” he said, adding that his management team “dug a little bit more in their pockets, while we also competed more to sign top players”. And it is that passion that Augousti hopes will help in expanding the Celtic brand - starting perhaps right here in Namibia.