Tsetse was born Matheus Nerumbu in the remote village town of Khorixas in the Erongo Region in 1967. However, he was to grow up in the mining town of Arandis when his parents relocated there in search of greener pastures.
His flourishing football career took off in the dusty streets of Arandis at the Kolin Foundation School. His next stop was Sorento Bucks, a local club that enjoyed mass following from the Otjiherero-speaking community in the uranium-mining town.
Tsetse’s football prowess persuaded national selectors to pick the tireless midfielder for the star-studded South West Africa (SWA) junior football team that represented the country in the South African Provincial Youth Tournament in Cape Town, South Africa, in 1986.
Some of his well-known teammates in that squad were; the legendary Frankie Fredericks, Willem Cloete, Sandro de Gouveia, Bernard Diocothle, Mario Rodriquez and Brian Isaacs.
Against all odds, Tsetse and his teammates won the gold medal brushing aside formidable opponents to claim the country’s first and only accolade at provincial level.
“It was quite tough but we assembled a very good squad laden with highly gifted footballers. In those days, players would be exposed to regional trials before the final selection and in all honesty, the national selectors were always spot on and would only select the best available players on offer,” reveals Tsetse.
Back home, Tsetse continued to grow as a noted footballer obliging some of the club’s followers, who in realty were die-hard supporters of Katutura glamour football club African Stars, to persuade him to join forces with the Reds.
“We had these two guys at Sorento Bucks going by the names of Kandee and Ephraim, they suggested that I should try my luck at Stars. It was a tough decision to make because my parents were not exactly happy to see me playing for a predominantly Otjiherero-speaking team.
“I must confess that the presence of George Gariseb swayed their conservative thinking and as they say, the rest is history.”
Tsetse made his debut for Stars against eternal rivals Orlando Pirates in a league match at the Windhoek showgrounds. He came on as a late substitute for the ageing Albert Tjihero and registered his name on the score sheet in the Reds’
3-0 triumph over their nemesis – immediately winning the hearts of the usually hard-to-please Stars’ diehards.
“When I arrived, the team was in a rebuilding process with Oscar (Mengo) as head coach – so the only old guards were Immanuel Kamuseramdu, Juku Tjazuko, Jackson Meroro, Albert Tjihero, Ndjiva Kauami and Bernard Newmann.”
Tsetse was to form a deadly partnership with Bernard Newmann, Zico Tjazerua, Richard Kamberipa and Wagga Goagoseb in the Reds midfield where he reigned supreme.
He boasts a remarkable record during more than a decade uninterrupted service to Stars that saw him win the coveted Metropolitan Cup in 1993. The Reds came from behind to dispatch the just-crowned league Namibian champions Ramblers inspired by the tricky Capetonian Joseph “Gaya” Martin.
Tsetse almost single-handedly saved Stars from the jaws of death when he majestically rose above a static Ramblers defence manned by the utility centre back pair of Tollie van Wyk and Rudi Pahl to head in the elusive equaliser.
The tireless midfielder was not done and inflicted more misery on the Tunchell Street Boys when he netted the winner in similar fashion to give Stars the trophy while he deservedly walked away with the prestigious player of the tournament accolade.
Although he was selected for the strong Central Invitational that played against the visiting Ace Mates from South Africa in exhibition matches, Tsetse never got to taste any action as he warmed the bench for the entire duration of the match.
Nevertheless, he got his international taste when he lined up for Stars in an exhibition against the visiting Moroka Swallows from South Africa at the Windhoek Stadium.
His biggest moment was when he was selected for the national shadow team that played against Russian giants Spartak Moscow during Namibia’s inaugural Independence celebration at the packed to the rafters Independence Stadium in Windhoek.
Rubbing shoulders with football greats Hector Camacho, Karl-Heinz Rummenige and Jomo Sono was a special occasion for Tsetse. He says he will always cherish that historic moment for as long as he is till breathing.
“I will always have great memories about the game, football made me what I’m today because I became friends with people from all walks of life through football.”
He hails the dangerous trio of Dawid Snewe (BA), Koko Muatunga (BW) and Lucky Boostander (BA) as the most influential footballers of his generation.