Zebaldt Ngaruka
Punaje Katjimune has recently made a name for himself in Namibian football as one of the shining stars of the moment, after penning a deal with top football club FC Ongos.
The publication recently caught up with Katjimune, the 19-year-old Windhoek-born player. The product of Kasaona Football Academy was first scouted by the Omaheke region’s technical team to play for the regional team after successful trials in Gobabis.
His father is from the Omaheke region, while his mother is from Otjozondjupa. Katjimune, who plays both as a left winger and a forward, shared with New Era Sport that his ambition is to become a professional footballer.
“I grew up playing as a left back, but my coach converted me to wide left due to my speed,” said Katjimune who is a grade 11 learner at Acacia High School (HS).
He added that his dream of becoming a professional footballer is influenced by Namibian international player Deon Hotto, who plays for South Africa’s glamour club Orlando Pirates in the Premier Soccer League.
Hotto is someone that I look up to. He is an exemplary person, and I want to be a professional like him. His work rate speaks volumes, Katjimune added.
The promising youngster was also a sprinter at school, competing in the 100 and 200 metres, and was a sportsman of the year at Acacia HS. “My interest in football was influenced by my family as most of my brothers are football players. That environment led me to like football more than athletics,” he explained.
His impressive performances in The Namibian Newspaper Cup where he featured for Omaheke, earned him a call-up to the senior national football team at 18, where he was capped one time in the World Cup qualifier match against Liberia.
“The call-up was my career highlight, and I am glad to have been granted the opportunity to represent my country at my age,” he said.
Besides that, the stocky player was also capped twice in the national U/20 in the Confederation of Southern Africa Football Association (Cosafa) tournament.
Now that he is signed by Ongos, he said his prime aim is to win the league this season. “Ongos is a top team in the country. It was very close to winning the last season, and I am sure we will win this time,” he said.
Asked how he is handling his education and football career, Katjimune said it is not that difficult, as he starts his practices at 17h30.
“That is enough time before training to study and do some homework. I always make sure my schoolwork is done before I go to training.”
The player wishes to have trials outside the country so that he can prove himsel,f and make his dream of professionalism a reality.
“I will not rush into things but will grab that opportunity if it is provided by the Almighty,” he said.
He believes that working hard, remaining focused and learning from the best are some of the keys to a better future.
His parents play a pivotal role in his football commitment.
His father, Rudolf Kujaza Karuhumba, played for Otjiwarongo-based Life Fighters in the then-Namibia Premier League, and his mother Else Katjimune was not a sport-playing person.
“I got this talent from my father. My mother is not a sporty person but they both play a huge role in my career, which is something that motivates me to do my best all the time,” he said.
Katjimune’s brother Tjeripo Karuhumba plays rugby for the national U/17 team while his sister Verunduruka Karuhumba plays for the Khomas U/11 netball team.
Katjimune who stays with his grandfather in Okamatapati, is sceptical about his availability for Epukiro’s Okatuuo Football Club in the popular annual festive season tournament in the Omaheke region.
-zngaruka@yahoo.com