Lifeline for footballers

Individuals in Namibian football circles have offered players a lifeline after making foreign transfer deals possible for local footballers.Football scouts Hareni 'Viera' Mbaeva and Timo-Vuzzi Haukambe, along with a special advisor who chose to remain anonymous, have orchestrated the move of two Namibian players to foreign leagues.Former Black Africa player McCartney Naweseb recently signed a two-year professional contract with Uzbekistan top division team Qizilqum Zarafshon Football Club.Namibian international midfielder Wangu Gome also recently signed to Alashkert in the Armenian Premier League for an undisclosed fee following a dry spell at South Africa's Cape Umoya United. Both these transfers were made possible by Haukambe, Mbaeva and their advisor.The two emerging scouts have managed to make connections with licenced international agents, and have also built strong relationships with those running the Namibian Football Association during what could be seen as Namibia's worst time in football since the country gained independence.“We have developed links with professional agents who work directly with big clubs all over the world.“Our job is to scout players from Namibia before sending their CVs to these agents, who then secure them clubs in the big leagues,” Mbaeva said. The duo revealed that they began the initiative to make sure that talent in Namibia does not go to waste. They are currently working on 10 players they have in their sights to possibly secure deals in big leagues when the transfer window opens. Haukambe is confident that more Namibians will make their way to clubs in Europe and other parts of the world following their first successful deals. “As scouts, the first two deals of Nawaseb and Gome were our breakthrough because we managed to earn the trust of international agents and the clubs they deal with.“This means that things will start moving smoothly going forward, given that the players we scouted actually impressed the clubs they signed for and that is what is important for us as scouts.“The transfer window is now closed but we will still make the dreams of many players possible when it opens again and even before it opens because negotiations continue,” he said. Gome lauded the scouts for making the deal possible after he had endured a very difficult time without playing the game he loves so dearly. Prior to the move, the midfielder had been without a club since his contract with the South African first division side Cape Umoya United ended last December.The player had to battle frustration and depression with no club to play for because of the domestic league situation in the Namibia.Mbaeva and Haukambe however came to Gome's rescue. “I would like to thank the Almighty and also the people who made this move possible. “For me being out for so long and coming back, I am more focused on game time.“As we know in our country, there is no league football and this is affecting many players who love playing the game.“That is why I decided to move to Armenia because I know here, I will play football,” Gome said in a telephonic interview from the Asian country. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the advisor to Mbaeva and Haukambe expressed satisfaction with what the duo have been doing.“I am just here to guide them and to make sure that things are done procedural.“Mbaeva and Haukambe are doing a great job and have the potential to secure record deals for the players. It is a good thing for Namibia because we need our own scouts and not always rely on international scouts.“The two will open doors for many players in the country,” the advisor noted. Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

Lifeline for footballers

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-14

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Lifeline for footballers

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-14

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