The blistering NamibianHotto
Swakopmund is a town known for its luxurious buildings and also for Bloemfontein Celtic star Deon Hotto.
Football has been a culture in the lives of many young Namibians from an early age.
Many children often begin by kicking whatever they can get, as long as they feel like the stars they see on TV or like the football seniors in their neighbourhoods. Many create footballs out of plastic bags.
Namibian and Bloemfontein Celtic football star Deon Hotto was one of those children.
Many would imagine that his journey to the South African Premiership has been easy.
Well, think again, because Hotto has been through the same struggle as many Africans.
However, the struggle and his love for football have made him one of the most admired football players to grace the turfs of Namibia.
Born on 29 October 1990, Hotto is blessed with a powerful left foot and incredible speed.
“I grew up in the coastal part of Namibia (Swakopmund) since a very early age.
“I attended primary school at Vrede Rede from grades one to three before moving to Atlantic Primary for grade four to seven.
“I attended high school at Coastal High and was just a simple guy before I became the person I am today,” Hotto recalls.
His football interest did not begin at school, but in the damp streets of Swakopmund.
Hotto owes some of his success to his older brother and cousin, who took him to the streets to watch them play.
In time he started playing with the older boys. Although he was often bullied, he never gave up.
He played for several street teams before getting his first taste of competitive football at Swakopmund United in 2009.
At the time, Swakopmund United was one of the biggest clubs in the town and played in the First Division.
“I remember well that Swakopmund United was my first team and it was an exciting time for me as a player.
“After that I also had a spell with the Swakopmund Football Club during 2010 and 2011,” he says.
At the age of 21, Hotto joined Swakopmund's Blue Boys FC during the 2012/2013 season.
He showed marvellous skills and commitment during his time at the coastal side.
This caught the eye of larger clubs in Namibia who all wanted to sign the talented player.
Hotto chose African Stars and played for them during the 2013/2014 season.
His blistering form in the premier league and records during his career earned him a place in the national team.
It did not take long before Hotto won his first silverware when Namibia won the 2015 Cosafa Cup in South Africa.
His two goals in the final of the competition were enough to earn the nation its first Cosafa trophy.
For Hotto, it was obvious that he would be in demand in the 2014/2015 season after his heroics at Cosafa.
South African Second Division club Golden Arrows came knocking at his door.
Hotto joined the side and helped it gain promotion to the South African Premiership.
He played there until 2016 before signing for another premiership side, Bloemfontein Celtic.
“I think I have scored more than a hundred career goals so far. Missing a penalty during the 2016 Cosafa tournament has been my saddest day so far in football,” he recalls.
“The best thing that happened to me was to help promote my former club, Golden Arrows, to the ABSA league and also winning the Cosafa Cup with the national team.”
Hotto's mother died when he was still young and he was raised by his father and an aunt.
During his free time he loves swimming and playing tennis.
The player who has motivated him the most is his former teammate at African Stars, Edison Muheua.
JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA
Many children often begin by kicking whatever they can get, as long as they feel like the stars they see on TV or like the football seniors in their neighbourhoods. Many create footballs out of plastic bags.
Namibian and Bloemfontein Celtic football star Deon Hotto was one of those children.
Many would imagine that his journey to the South African Premiership has been easy.
Well, think again, because Hotto has been through the same struggle as many Africans.
However, the struggle and his love for football have made him one of the most admired football players to grace the turfs of Namibia.
Born on 29 October 1990, Hotto is blessed with a powerful left foot and incredible speed.
“I grew up in the coastal part of Namibia (Swakopmund) since a very early age.
“I attended primary school at Vrede Rede from grades one to three before moving to Atlantic Primary for grade four to seven.
“I attended high school at Coastal High and was just a simple guy before I became the person I am today,” Hotto recalls.
His football interest did not begin at school, but in the damp streets of Swakopmund.
Hotto owes some of his success to his older brother and cousin, who took him to the streets to watch them play.
In time he started playing with the older boys. Although he was often bullied, he never gave up.
He played for several street teams before getting his first taste of competitive football at Swakopmund United in 2009.
At the time, Swakopmund United was one of the biggest clubs in the town and played in the First Division.
“I remember well that Swakopmund United was my first team and it was an exciting time for me as a player.
“After that I also had a spell with the Swakopmund Football Club during 2010 and 2011,” he says.
At the age of 21, Hotto joined Swakopmund's Blue Boys FC during the 2012/2013 season.
He showed marvellous skills and commitment during his time at the coastal side.
This caught the eye of larger clubs in Namibia who all wanted to sign the talented player.
Hotto chose African Stars and played for them during the 2013/2014 season.
His blistering form in the premier league and records during his career earned him a place in the national team.
It did not take long before Hotto won his first silverware when Namibia won the 2015 Cosafa Cup in South Africa.
His two goals in the final of the competition were enough to earn the nation its first Cosafa trophy.
For Hotto, it was obvious that he would be in demand in the 2014/2015 season after his heroics at Cosafa.
South African Second Division club Golden Arrows came knocking at his door.
Hotto joined the side and helped it gain promotion to the South African Premiership.
He played there until 2016 before signing for another premiership side, Bloemfontein Celtic.
“I think I have scored more than a hundred career goals so far. Missing a penalty during the 2016 Cosafa tournament has been my saddest day so far in football,” he recalls.
“The best thing that happened to me was to help promote my former club, Golden Arrows, to the ABSA league and also winning the Cosafa Cup with the national team.”
Hotto's mother died when he was still young and he was raised by his father and an aunt.
During his free time he loves swimming and playing tennis.
The player who has motivated him the most is his former teammate at African Stars, Edison Muheua.
JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA
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