Katupose hangs up his boots

LIMBA MUPETAMI

WINDHOEK



From scoring the winning goal which put Namibia through to the 2008 Afcon, to qualifying the team for the 2018 Chan tournament, the industrious forward Muna Katopuse has reached his career climax.

The last time he played for the national side was in 2019 against Zambia for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers. Namibia lost the match but still qualified in second place on eight points.

The 32-year-old Katupose wasn't called up for the team after that, and headed to India to study medical radiology information and technology at CT University Punjab Ludhiana after resigning from his teaching job.

Speaking to Namibian Sun from India, he said his retirement is motivated by his studies and the fact that he needs to focus on that which puts food on the table.

“Also, Namibian football has been stagnant for the last two years and this opened my eyes and made me realise that one should not depend on football income only,” he added.



From Epupa 11 to

Brave Warriors

The former national team player was recruited for the national team after having been scouted while playing for second-division side Epupa 11 Stars from Ruacana, together with his twin brother Tara.

They were playing in the Hansa Cup tournament at Rundu and were unaware that the national team coach was in the crowd.

Their team was defeated in the semi-finals, but after a week, their manager received a call informing him that they should report to the national camp the following day.

“We could not believe it. But that's how my brother and I made it to the [national] team,” Katupose said.

He went to play club football for Tigers, Black Africa and Unam Football Club.

He further elaborated on two highlights of his career, moments that will live with him forever.

“During the match I was on the bench when Ethiopia scored the first goal. My then teammate Rudolf Bester equalised. It was one-all, 80 minutes into the match.

“The coach then was late Zambian-born coach Ben Bamfuchile. He told me to warm up. I then told my bench that I would score the winning goal. While I was on the touchline to go in, Ethiopia scored again. I thought, it's now or never.

“I went in, and assisted Bester with my first touch and soon after scored a brilliant volley in injury time as well as another goal through a header. We won the game 3-2 and qualified for Afcon.”



The power of the tongue

He said he predicted another victory when the team faced Comoros for the Chan qualifiers. “We needed a win, coming from an away loss to Comoros. I was again on the bench. But before the match, back at the hotel, I told some of my teammates to relax as I would take them to the tournament.

“Players such as Petrus Shitembi, Dynamo Fredericks, former caption Ronald Ketjijere, Teberius Lombard and Hendrik Somaeb came to me after the first 11 for the match were announced. They encouraged and told me that they would be waiting for me on the field to deliver on my words.

“At halftime, the coach requested me to warm up. I scored the first goal and we qualified for the first time for 2018 Chan.”

Katupose added that his achievements are enough to tell his children about one day. The stories that he will tell include how he played against some of Africa's best, such as Senegal's El Hadji Diouf, Mohamed Aboutrika (Egypt), Sadio Mane (Senegal) and Michael Essien (Ghana).

He added that he will make appearances on club level but that he will do it for the love of football and that his attention is now on building a career outside of football.