WINDHOEK – With the country’s flagship football league, the MTC Namibia Premier League (NPL), set to officially start on October 1, confusion still reigns in the corridors of Katutura giants Orlando Pirates following Ali Akan’s sudden departure from the club at the end of last season.
Akan, one of Namibia’s highly experienced and doubtlessly most decorated mentor, announced his retirement from football citing a lack of inspiration, but those with close links to the coach believe his departure was hastened by being constantly overlooked by the country’s football hierarchy to be given the reins at national level, be it a junior or senior position.
Following Akan’s departure, former SKW coach and retired Chief Santos midfielder Luckey Kakuva was installed as the official successor to Akan. However, now barely four months after his appointment, Kakuva is swimming in a pool of uncertainty as to what his new role entails.
Word from the Buccaneers camp has it that Akan, who has close ties with club boss and former Pirates midfield general Zedekias ‘Axab’ Gowaseb, apparently now has second thoughts over his sudden exit from the game.
Approached to shed light on his constant presence in the Buccaneers’ nest – Akan would not confirm nor deny speculation over his return to the club’s hot seat.
Speaking to New Era Sport yesterday, Kakuva admitted there was indeed confusion as to who would take charge of Pirates’ head coaching post, saying he had a formal discussion with the club where both parties verbally agreed on the terms of his recruitment, although the process of putting pen to paper was still pending.
“I was supposed to start with my training duties but there are no clear-cut guidelines over the coaching position because I heard it through the grapevine that Akan has made a sudden U-turn and wants to reclaim the coaching post,” charged a visibly disillusioned Kakuva, before referring this reporter to Pirates’ management for further details.
Numerous attempts to get comment from the club’s real McCoy, Axab Gowaseb, proved futile as his mobile phone went unanswered.