At a Swapo Party star rally in Oshakati on 8 November 2023, former Ohangwena governor Usko Nghaamwa stood up to introduce himself to party supporters. He said in Oshiwambo: “Aame Usko yaNghaamwa nda dja kOhangwena oku kwa dja Chula Chula.” In short: I am Usko Nghaamwa, and I am from Ohangwena, where Chula Chula hails from.
The reference to Chula Chula in his introduction was telling. It underlined the popularity and adoration of the club to the masses, such that it became fashionable, even for a party as big as Swapo, to find some connection with a club that has enjoyed a meteoric rise in a short space of time.
The name Eeshoke Chula Chula reverberates everywhere, in bars, in clubs, at weddings, and even extends to local artist Tate Buti, who transformed a gospel song (Thula mn’tanami) into a Chula Chula anthem which enjoys massive airplay at football matches and wedding receptions.
Significantly, the popularity of a village team has earned it a massive sponsorship from one of the leading betting companies in the country. Amidst all this frenzy, little is known about the origin and thorny journey that the founders have travelled to get to where the team is today.
In the humble beginnings of 1995, a group of villagers came together with a shared passion for football. “It started back in 1995, with just a group of villagers looking for a spot to play. They found one near a water point, gathering there every day to play village football. It consisted solely of local lads,” recalled team manager Hamatundu Mike Pombili.
As the years rolled by, the team grew, competing in local tournaments and eager to carve out a name for themselves. The likes of Absalom Hamukonda, Mandume Hamukonda, the late Sakaria Haimbili (Chula Chula), Kennedy Hangombe and Sakaria Ismael were among the first to proudly don the jersey of the team.
The name of the team itself reflected the essence of the locality. “We were forming the team in the village, and when it came to choosing a name, our leaders suggested everyone pitch in. They advised against European names, wanting it as close to our people as possible. Suggestions like Eeshoke United, Eeshoke Chiefs or Eeshoke Border Post came up. However, Haimbili, unimpressed with the European flavour, named the team Eeshoke Chula Chula,” the manager continued.
Eeshoke means thorns, while Chula Chula or Tshuula Tshuula is ‘prick prick’ in English (steek steek in Afrikaans).
The team originated from Eeshoke daMbidi, a village near Oshikango.
Progressing from local football, the team found themselves in the third division in 1998, marking the beginning of their formal football journey. By 2001, they secured promotion to the Ohangwena second division, facing struggles and relegation threats. “We struggled in the second division, even facing relegation at some point. But our determination and resilience saw us return to the second division, eventually gaining promotion to the first division,” revealed Pombili.
Amidst their struggles between the second and first divisions, a moment of victory shone through in 2013. Chula Chula clinched Ohangwena Debmarine Cup qualification, reaching the finals against Orlando Pirates, only to face an 8-0 defeat. Despite the setback, they found themselves back in the second division, demonstrating resilience by gaining promotion to the first division in 2018 with an unbeaten record.
“In 2018, we won the 2nd division with an unbeaten record. The following year, football in Namibia came to a halt, forcing us to return to bush football. Yet, we dominated various tournaments, realising the significance of our team. Last year, as the league resumed, we played in the first division, dominating to become champions and securing promotion to the top-flight league,” recounted Pombili.
With a major trophy already in the bag, the manager expressed the team’s ambitions. “We have so far won the Hage Geingob Cup this season, and we are working to win every single trophy. We are used to winning titles, and that’s why we are investing so much to ensure the team performs well,” he said.
Loide Ndaamekele, a fan originally from Eeshoke but currently residing in Omafo, expressed her longstanding support for the team since its inception. Reflecting on the team’s remarkable journey, she shared her immense pride, stating, “I come from Eeshoke where the team is from, but at the moment, I am staying here in Omafo. I have been supporting the team since I was a child, and seeing how much the team has achieved makes me so happy. I didn’t expect in my wildest dreams that I would see them play formal football, especially in the top-flight league. We knew the team for playing bush football, but we have now become a bigger brand in Namibia”.
Meanwhile, Johannes Shawapala echoed similar sentiments, expressing his unwavering support since the team’s formation in 1995. Having served as a team manager at one point, he reflected on their journey, emphasising the embodiment of resilience and determination in their progress. “I am the happiest person, and I would say I am the biggest Chula Chula fan.
I have been with this team through all its ups and downs. I am proud of how far we have come, and am still looking forward to what the team will achieve this season,” he added.
Shipa Ruben, another devoted fan of the team, shared his perspective, eagerly anticipating the team’s success. “I think the team has done tremendously well, and they have managed to put our village on the map.
So, for now, everyone in Namibia knows where Eeshoke is, or at least has heard of it. I am confident that the team will win more trophies this season or next, but at least we can say that our team is now one of the top teams in the country.
What I would love to see as well is to have more players from our team taken into the national team, and maybe also export more of them across the borders of Namibia,” he enthused.