Unity above all
BA coach Paulus Shipanga says the key to their success this season was doing everything together.
Jubilant Black Africa coach Paulus Shipanga says the secret to winning the 2018/19 Namibia Premier League (NPL) title was team unity above anything else.
BA clinched the title last Thursday after beating arch-rivals Orlando Pirates 3-0 at the Sam Nujoma Stadium.
Shipanga said he always emphasised during training that his players should remain united, respect one another and remain dedicated to the course; and that eventually won them with the trophy.
“I have a young team of players. We all know how young players get out of hand, so I had to be a bit stern. Everything we did, we did together. Whenever we travelled away for matches, I took all my 23 players with me so that no one feels left out. Whoever was not picked had to encourage the rest on the field,” Shipanga said.
“This was to make sure that players don't envy each other.'
BA's goals against Pirates, who are now staring firmly down the relegation barrel, came from McCartney Nawaseb, Derl Goagoseb and Salomo Kamulilo.
BA stood on 61 points after their clash against Pirates, which is a bridge to far for their chasing rivals African Stars to cross.
Shipanga left Tura Magic in November 2017 after joining the club in 2015. He was then called up to lead BA in 2018 and has not looked back.
Shipanga is the youngest coach thus far in the history of the NPL to win the coveted league title.
BA last won the league in 2014, when the side coached by Brian Isaacs won the last of their four consecutive titles. Shipanga is assisted by former footballers Alfeus Ndyenge and Arnold Seibeb.
The BA coach is a former Brave Warriors player, who also featured for club sides Blue Waters, Eleven Arrows, Bidvest Wits and Malaysian-based outfit Sabah Football Club during his heyday. His experience has now paid off for his team, who walk away with a cheque of N$1 million for winning the league.
Second-placed African Stars still need to play two matches before the league concludes - one on Monday against Tigers in Windhoek and another on Wednesday against Okahandja United. Tura Magic is currently in third place.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
BA clinched the title last Thursday after beating arch-rivals Orlando Pirates 3-0 at the Sam Nujoma Stadium.
Shipanga said he always emphasised during training that his players should remain united, respect one another and remain dedicated to the course; and that eventually won them with the trophy.
“I have a young team of players. We all know how young players get out of hand, so I had to be a bit stern. Everything we did, we did together. Whenever we travelled away for matches, I took all my 23 players with me so that no one feels left out. Whoever was not picked had to encourage the rest on the field,” Shipanga said.
“This was to make sure that players don't envy each other.'
BA's goals against Pirates, who are now staring firmly down the relegation barrel, came from McCartney Nawaseb, Derl Goagoseb and Salomo Kamulilo.
BA stood on 61 points after their clash against Pirates, which is a bridge to far for their chasing rivals African Stars to cross.
Shipanga left Tura Magic in November 2017 after joining the club in 2015. He was then called up to lead BA in 2018 and has not looked back.
Shipanga is the youngest coach thus far in the history of the NPL to win the coveted league title.
BA last won the league in 2014, when the side coached by Brian Isaacs won the last of their four consecutive titles. Shipanga is assisted by former footballers Alfeus Ndyenge and Arnold Seibeb.
The BA coach is a former Brave Warriors player, who also featured for club sides Blue Waters, Eleven Arrows, Bidvest Wits and Malaysian-based outfit Sabah Football Club during his heyday. His experience has now paid off for his team, who walk away with a cheque of N$1 million for winning the league.
Second-placed African Stars still need to play two matches before the league concludes - one on Monday against Tigers in Windhoek and another on Wednesday against Okahandja United. Tura Magic is currently in third place.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
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