By Carlos Kambaekwa
WINDHOEK – It’s a done and dusted deal, African Stars out contract shot stopper, Max ‘Slimkat’ Mbaeva, will be lost to domestic football after the highly gifted lanky net guard, has signed a three year deal with South African second tier outfit Golden Arrows.
The dreadlocked goalkeeper impressed the technical staff and head coach Shaun Bartlett of relegated Abafana Bestente, during trials and will now joined compatriots and former team mates Chris Katjiukua and Deon Hotto at the Lamontville based outfit.
The Durban club has been home to many Namibians in years gone by with former Namibian blue eyed boy, the late Doc Hardley, rewrote the history books by becoming the highest goal scorer with his 9-goal tally netted against Richmond Stars in a cup tie in 1974. That record remains intact.
Other Namibians who have also played for Arrows in the past were the pair of Killer Kamberipa and the late former Black Africa overlapping fullback Joseph ‘Malaka’ Somseb.
In recent years, Brave Warriors number one shot stopper Virgil Vries, had a short stint with the coastal team while striker, Rudolf Bester’s abbreviated injury strewn loan stint from PSL giants Orlando Pirates, came to nothing after the club declined to make the move permanent.
Veteran defender Freedom Puriza, has signed a two year contract with Arrows from African Stars for an undisclosed fee, bringing the number of the Namibian legion at the Durban club to four.
Puriza was doubtlessly the most outstanding player for Stars during the just ended season, leading the Reds to runner up spot behind undisputed Namibian champions Black Africa for the coveted MTC Premiership title and the Bidvest Cup. The dreadlocked fullback’s near faultless display earned him a deserved recall to the Brave Warriors team.
According to Namibia’s leading players agent, Colin April, MTC Premiership top goal scorer of the 2013/2014 campaign, Ballack Somaeb, is on the verge of joining PSL outfit Free State Stars to be reunited with former Warriors coach, Belgian Tom Saintfiet, while Civics’ acrobatic gloves man, Edward Maova, is heading in the opposite direction to join forces with newly promoted Chippa United FC.