Hotto delighted with Arrows' promotion

Namibian footballer Deon Hotto, who plays for Golden Arrows in South Africa, is jubilant after his team won the National First Division (NFD) in South Africa. The clinching of the NFD sees Arrows, who are also known as ‘Abafana Bes’thende’; make a return to South Africa’s elite league next season. The team had secured top place on the NFD log after a 1-1 draw with Cape Town All Stars on Sunday. With promotion to the Premier Soccer League (PSL) secured, it means Arrows only spent one season in the NFD after they were relegated from the top league. Hotto, who is part of a trio of Namibians at Arrows (the others being goalkeeper Maxi Mbaeva and defender Chris Katjiukua), told Namibian Sun through social media that his team had been working hard throughout the season to get promoted to the PSL. “We have achieved our target. I feel so proud to bring back the team in the elite league,” said Hotto, who opted to stay with the club following their relegation from the PSL. He said Arrows would go far in the league next season judging by their performance when they lost to SuperSport United in the Nedbank Cup. “This encouraged the team to move forward and get good form to do well,” the Brave Warriors player said. Arrows, who are coached by retired South African international Shaun Bartlett, are on top of the NFD league with 57 points while Jomo Cosmos are second with 50 with only one match left. Arrows had only lost two matches in the league and drew 12 after 29 matches played. Hotto and his teammates will now join Virgil Vries (Maritzburg United), Willem Mwedihanga and Larry Horaeb (both AmaZulu) Da Costa Angula, Hendrik Somaeb and Rudolf Bester (all Free State Stars), Henrico Botes (Bidvest Wits) and Ronald Ketjijere (University of Pretoria) in the PSL. Hotto said he wants to spend time with the team because the supporters love him. “This season’s performance was one of the best for me; no doubt I proved it,” he said. Hotto further advised that locally based players who want to play abroad must have discipline and a hard-working attitude. WINDHOEK-LUKAS NAMBALA