Hilma Nalupe
On Heroes’ Day, Namibians reflect on the sacrifices that secured the nation’s freedom. For Brave Warriors head coach and former captain Collin Benjamin, core values of sacrifice, service, and responsibility are central to how he leads the national football team.
Benjamin believes the Brave Warriors serve a symbolic role in the country’s history.
“It’s a privilege and an honour to lead a team that truly represents Namibia. The Brave Warriors are Namibia’s firstborn, and like any firstborn, we must lead by example,” he said.
His coaching philosophy is rooted in the idea that football is bigger than individual talent. He stresses unity and responsibility as qualities that must guide every player who pulls on the national jersey.
Growing up in Namibia shaped these same values for him, especially the sense of duty he had as a boy taking care of his younger siblings at home.
Benjamin links the sacrifices of Namibia’s heroes with the opportunities current players have. He says the freedom to pursue international football careers is built on the struggles of those who came before.
That connection to history is what he wants every Brave Warrior to recognise when they step onto the field. Benjamin himself stands as a symbol of what Namibian footballers can accomplish.
Born in Windhoek, he started his club career with Civics Windhoek before moving to Germany in 1999. He signed with Hamburger Sport Verein (HSV) in 2001 and spent a decade there (2001 to 2011), making 146 league appearances.
He then spent the 2011-2012 season with TSV 1860 Munich. Internationally, Benjamin earned 32 caps for Namibia from 1999 to 2012 and represented the Brave Warriors at the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations.
Benjamin’s influence is also recognised by the players he leads. Brave Warriors midfielder Paulus Amutenya described Benjamin as a true leader, saying, “He sacrifices a lot of his time, his sleep, and always stands for what is right. He inspires people through his work and always leads by example.”
Forward Joslin Kamatuka echoed the sentiment, highlighting Benjamin’s historic success.
“I would say being the first coach to lead the Brave Warriors to their first win at the African Cup of Nations and advancing out of the group stage to the round of sixteen should be among his greatest accomplishments,” he said.
Benjamin has been one of the Namibian sports figures to pave the way, especially for footballers, inspiring many players to dream of going abroad and building a career from their sporting talents.
Looking at the country’s football journey, he believes each generation has raised the bar from the Class of ’98, which made Namibia’s first Africa Cup of Nations appearance, to the current squad that reached the knockout stages in 2024.
For Benjamin, this is proof of how inspiration passes from one group to the next
“This group inspired the country to believe we can dream of the World Cup. Whether or not it becomes reality, the belief is already there. That’s powerful. And now it’s their responsibility to keep dreaming, to set the bar even higher for those who come after them,” he said.
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