Southern Stream First Division Side Young Brazilians FC, popularly known as the Dakaza Boys, has boosted its technical bench with the appointment of Lionel Afrikaner as assistant coach, as the club intensifies its push for promotion.
Afrikaner joins the //Kharas region giants after serving as head coach of Date Eleven FC last season, bringing experience, discipline, and a strong background in youth development to a club widely regarded as one of the region’s biggest football institutions.
Currently, Young Brazilians sit fourth on the Southern Stream First Division log with 11 points from six matches. The standings remain tightly contested, with Mariental Sport Club leading the table on 14 points from six games. Try Again FC occupy second place with 13 points from six matches, level with third placed Friends FC, with a goal difference of two separating the two sides.
“The stature of Young Brazilians plays a major role in my decision to accept the assistant coach role. This is an important step in my coaching journey,” he said.
He added that he views the appointment as an opportunity to grow professionally while contributing meaningfully to a club with a rich football tradition.
“I am a firm believer in discipline on and off the field, and my coaching philosophy aligns well with that of the head coach,” added Afrikaner.
He explained that his role will be to reinforce the team’s playing principles and ensure unity within the technical structure.
Young Brazilians have long been known for developing young talent, an area Afrikaner is eager to strengthen further. As a teacher by profession, he has extensive experience working with young players, helping them identify their potential and guiding them along their football pathways. He believes this background will be invaluable in talent identification and holistic player development at the club.
Several new signings already added to the squad, including Emilio Martin, African Jossob, Koko Katjimune, and Amazing Kandjii.
Afrikaner said the immediate task for the technical team is to assess the group’s strengths and weaknesses during the short football break. The focus, he added, will be on implementing a defined style of play that restores the club’s identity and brings renewed confidence and excitement to supporters.
The assistant coach made it clear that the club’s primary objective is a return to the Namibia Premier League (NPL), a goal repeatedly emphasised by the board. In the long term, he hopes to help establish a sustainable playing philosophy that can serve as a blueprint for the club to consistently compete at the highest level, both nationally and on the continental stage.
