WINDHOEK – Namibian football has been thrown into turmoil following an ugly physical confrontation between a local coach and club official – prompting loud calls from football authorities to effect rehabilitative measures to assist affected athletes.
At the centre of the storm is the much-publicized scuffle involving LHU Blue Waters’ now departed mentor Paulus Shipanga and club chairperson Hafeni Ndemula, a likeable fellow within the Erongo Region and highly respected politician for that matter.
So what does the name Paulus have in common with itchy knuckles? This is the question on many peoples’ lips considering that a significant chunk of Namibia’s finest leather traders go by the same first name of “Paulus”.
And while the trio of Nuumbembe, Moses and Ambunda are much-adored professional boxers – Shipanga has developed a nasty habit of using his fists for all the wrong reasons
A protégé of Blue Waters academy, Shipanga would demonstrate unbelievable talent during his formative years as a highly gifted athlete and looked destined for the bigger stage. He went on to represent his native land on all fronts internationally.
The speedy winger signed his first professional contract with South African Professional Soccer League (PSL) outfit BidVest Wits University via Polokwane City in 2008 before he was shipped off to Bay United in Port Elizabeth.
While at Wits in Johannesburg, the short-fused winger got involved in a physical confrontation with teammate Isaac ‘Yster’ Mabotsa over seating arrangements on the team’s official bus.
Mabotsa, previously a Kaizer Chiefs player came off 2nd best with streams of tears rolling freely down his cheeks like the River of Babylon.
Former Blue Waters’ owner Hendrik Dawids also fell victim to Shipanga’s antics finding himself on the receiving end of his subject’s quick temper. However, the latter finally met his match in former teammate Gottlieb Nakuta who took his assailant through the ropes about the finer points on how to exchange one-two’s in bare-knuckled bouts in real township style.
Shipanga’s ongoing brawls with club administrators, teammates and match officials are not isolated as several other coaches and club officials also found themselves turned into punching bags by unruly players.
History reveals that a well known foreign coach from north-east Africa coaching a top local club holed up in the city of lights was left with a heavily panelled face after a vicious blow delivered by a former national team player that would have left the great Harry Simon green with envy.
Recently, a promising defender unleashed a tirade of heavy blows peppering the fairly advanced and fragile frame of a club official. The player, young enough to be his victim’s son was ostensibly gatvol over his late payment and has since left the club under a dark cloud with no sanctions imposed on him.
In order to get to the root of these sickening episodes, New Era Sport sought the opinion and clarification from a local psychologist Mara Mberira. She says such strange behaviour points to depression.
“Depression is common in people with a family disorder and must be treated carefully. The only way they know to express their feelings is through anger and violence since they cannot express themselves otherwise.”
She adds that such odd reactions usually derive from unintentional formalized contexts within families, paraded as the only viable method to resolve disagreements through violent conduct.
“People suffering from severe depression are in dire need of thorough counselling and must from within themselves develop a sense of awareness as to where it comes from once the underlying course has been established.”
Charismatic MTC Premiership chairperson Johnny ‘JJD’ Doeseb has also joined the chorus of discontented people voicing displeasure at such draconian acts.
“If what is alleged is true, we will not condone such acts of barbarism within the family of football. However, we are democrats and believe in the concept of ‘Fair Play’. So until such time we receive an official complaint from the relevant authorities, in this case, Blue Waters, our hands remained tied.”
Doeseb nevertheless added that the league would follow the unfolding events with eagle eyes.
“The general public must rest assured we (NPL) as custodians of the country’s flagship league will be obliged by the oath we have undertaken to preserve and protect the integrity of domestic football by taking stern action,” said an agitated Doeseb.