Zebaldt Ngaruka
Brave Warriors goalkeeper Kamaijanda Ndisiro never imagined standing between the goal posts.
The 26-year-old from Epukiro in Omaheke region began his football journey as a centre-back and only found himself in the goalkeeper position by chance, a move he admits was not by choice but rather by force.
In an exclusive interview with New Era Sports, Ndisiro recounted his journey from a village defender to a professional goalkeeper in South Africa. “It happened that our school team goalkeeper was not around, and I went between the sticks to cover up,” he said, recalling his early days at Omuhaturua Primary School in Otjimanangombe, where the unexpected transition occurred in 2015.
From that moment on, teammates pushed him to continue in goal. “I did not choose to be a goalkeeper; I was forced. Maybe my teammates saw what I could do. The rest is history, and I am grateful for that,” he admitted.
Ndisiro’s responsibilities as a goalkeeper go beyond stopping shots. As the last line of defence, he is also tasked with organising the backline, initiating attacks, and leading from the back. His height, 1.93 metres, gives him a physical edge in aerial duels and commanding his area.
Born and raised in Otumbonde village, Ndisiro started his football journey with local side Otumbonde FC, known affectionately as Red Fire. Though he began as a centre-back and occasionally played midfield, his goalkeeping journey truly took off in high school at Ella du Plessis and later Jan Mohr Secondary School.
He first rose to national prominence during the 2017 Namibian Newspaper Cup, representing the Omaheke Region. That exposure led to a short stint with Tura Magic before he joined Black Africa (BA), where his career flourished. “That is when everything changed,” he recalled. At BA, he won league titles and cup competitions.
His performances attracted South African club Venda FC, and after a brief spell there, he returned to Namibia to sign with African Stars in the 2022/23 season. He enjoyed more silverware before securing a two-year deal with South African first division side Highbury FC.
That move came shortly after the 2024 Cosafa Cup, where his heroics against Angola, saving several powerful shots, earned him the Man of the Match award. “That was one of the toughest games, but I managed to keep a clean sheet,” he said.
Ndisiro’s first senior national team call-up came in 2019 when he debuted against Tanzania in the CHAN tournament in Cameroon. He has also represented Namibia at U/17 and U/20 levels, earning numerous clean sheets along the way.
He credits his uncle, Ngombee Ndisiro, for pushing him into the goalkeeper role and supporting his journey. Comparing football in Namibia and South Africa, he said, “There is a big difference. SA’s league is more professional and developed even at the first division level.”
Currently settled at Highbury FC, Ndisiro has no immediate plans to move abroad. “I am a Highbury FC player and happy here; it is what it is,” he said.
Off the pitch, he enjoys FIFA games while in South Africa, and when back home, he reconnects with family and helps with farming. “When I’m in Otumbonde, I enjoy doing farm work and being close to nature,” he said.
Asked about memorable matches, he pointed to BA’s 1-0 victory over Blue Waters in the Debmarine Cup and the Cosafa Cup match against Angola as standout moments in his career. As for the toughest striker he’s faced, he playfully replied, “None, I like sleeping,” before naming former teammate Ibrahim Youssouf for his lethal goal-scoring instinct. –zngaruka@yahoo.com