Otniel Hembapu
WINDHOEK – According to well-placed sources, Namibia’s reigning champions African Stars Football Club has appointed former Brave Warriors enterprising midfielder Robert Nauseb as new head coach of the Katutura giants, replacing highly experienced mentor Bobby Samaria, who stirred the club to a double last season.
Although African Stars executive members were reluctant to confirm Nauseb’s appointment to New Era Sport late yesterday, well-placed sources in the club confirmed the appointment of Nauseb as the club’s new head coach but were however not forthcoming in disclosing why Samaria – who last season helped Stars lift the league trophy and FA Cup – vacated his coaching seat.
“Unfortunately I’m not in a position to disclose why Samaria is no longer the club’s head coach, but what I can confirm at this moment is that Robert Nauseb has been appointed as new head coach. In fact, he (Nauseb) was interviewed this week and I think he will soon start taking the boys (players) through the paces. But I think the club’s management will soon call a press conference to officially announce the latest developments,” said one of our sources.
The 44-year-old Nauseb, who is said to have been based in South Africa since calling time on his international career, enjoyed a blossoming career which saw him don the jerseys of South African giants Kaizer Chiefs, Hellenic, Ajax Cape Town, Bloemfontein Celtic, Engen Santos and Ikapa Sporting in that country.
He was also part of the famous Brave Warriors class of 1998, which finished bottom of Group C at the 1998 African Nations Cup.
Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports also have it that former Tura Magic mentor Paulus Shipanga could be on his way to take over at Black Africa, replacing veteran Lucky Richter.