Namibian international Willy ‘Awillo’ Stephanus has taken a major step in his football journey, signing with Saudi Arabian second division side Hetten FC after a standout stint with African Stars. 

The prolific midfielder leaves behind a decorated legacy in the Namibia Premier Football League (NPFL), where he clinched consecutive golden boot awards: netting 20 goals in the 2022/23 season and 16 in 2023/24. His goals were instrumental in securing league titles and domestic cup successes for Stars. 

Now set to ply his trade in the Middle East, Stephanus shared a message of perseverance on social media: 

“Don’t get frustrated with how long it takes, because small steps eventually lead to big results.” 

With 52 national team caps and a proven scoring record, Stephanus’ move represents not only personal growth, but also a proud milestone for Namibian football on the international stage. He mentioned that everything is going well in training and that he is settling in comfortably. “We might leave for Egypt over the weekend or early next week once one of the goalkeepers joins us. We’ll have a pre-season training camp there,” he said. He further noted that their first fixture of the season is scheduled for 4 October. 

Hetten FC, based in Samtah in Saudi Arabia’s Jizan region, is a club with a rich history and growing ambition. Nicknamed The Maroon and The Lion of the South, they play their home matches at the King Faisal Sport City Stadium, which seats around 10 000 fans. The club has shown flashes of promise in the ongoing 2024–25 season, including dominant wins such as 5–0 over Al-Diraiyah and 5–2 against Al Qaisumah. 

Hetten FC is also known for its strong youth development system, an encouraging environment for Stephanus to thrive and continue inspiring the next generation of Namibian players. 

-lmupetami@nepc.com.na