Growing up in Windhoek’s Damara Location, football was not only a pastime for Owen Gariseb, but a way of life. Like many young boys in Namibia, he spent countless hours chasing a ball around the neighbourhood, dreaming of one day making it onto the big stage. 

His football journey began with Swallows FC under the guidance of coach Lauer, where he first developed his love for the game. While playing with friends was enjoyable, it was watching some of the world’s greatest footballers on television that truly ignited his passion. 

“I was watching players like Roberto Carlos, Ronaldinho and Petit on TV, and that’s how I really fell in love with the game,” Gariseb recalls. 

What started as a childhood passion eventually developed into something much bigger. The turning point came in 2016 when he was selected to represent the Khomas Region at the Newspaper Cup. The tournament opened doors for the young footballer and marked the beginning of his professional journey. 

Following his performances at the prestigious youth competition, veteran coach Harry Januarie approached him with an opportunity to join Unam FC. Gariseb accepted the challenge and made his Premier League debut for the university side in 2017, where he has remained ever since. 

Although he started out as an outfield player, Gariseb eventually found his place between the posts. Today, he is recognised as one of the reliable goalkeepers in the domestic game. 

As a former outfield player, he believes his background gives him an advantage when it comes to playing with the ball at his feet. 

His ability to remain composed under pressure and organise teammates from the back has become an important part of his game. 

When asked to describe his playing style in a single sentence, Gariseb keeps it simple: confident. 

Throughout his football career, Gariseb has experienced several memorable moments, but his proudest memories are not necessarily linked to personal achievements. Instead, he finds the greatest satisfaction in seeing his teammates succeed and celebrating victories together. 

For him, football is about unity and collective effort rather than individual glory. This philosophy was reinforced during some of the toughest matches of his career, particularly against African Stars, one of Namibia’s most successful football clubs. 

The encounters taught him valuable lessons about teamwork and the importance of working together as a unit. He believes that while many young players often focus on proving themselves individually in big matches, success ultimately comes through collective effort and trust among teammates. 

Away from match days, Gariseb remains focused on personal development. Despite his achievements, he is honest about the areas of his game that still need improvement. 

“I am currently working on my attitude, as I would really love to improve on it,” he says. 

His willingness to acknowledge his weaknesses reflects the humility that football has taught him over the years. According to Gariseb, one of the greatest lessons the sport has given him is the importance of remaining humble both on and off the field. 

The person who has had the biggest influence on his football career is coach Harry Januarie. Their relationship stretches back many years, long before Gariseb reached the highest level of Namibian football. 

He began training under January when he was only 12 years old and credits the experienced coach for helping shape him into the player he is today. 

Gariseb also has several footballers he looks up to. Among them are Namibian goalkeeper Virgil Vries, South African international Ronwen Williams and local football legend Willy Awillo Stephanus. He says he would relish the opportunity to train alongside any of them. 

His football journey has also included appearances for several clubs before settling at Unam FC. He played for Swallows, Ramblers, Namib Calls, City Boys and Windhoek United before making the move to the university outfit. 

The goalkeeper has collected a number of personal accolades along the way, including a Man of the Match award and Goalkeeper of the Tournament honours at the Newspaper Cup in 2016. 

At club level, however, team silverware has remained elusive. His closest achievement came when Unam finished as runners-up in the Debmarine Cup in 2018, while the club has also recorded other second-place finishes during his tenure. 

Outside football, Gariseb leads a busy life balancing sport and work. He earns a living as a barber at Kulu Barber Shop, where he spends his time helping clients look their best when he is not training or preparing for matches. 

Looking ahead, Gariseb has ambitious goals. In the short term, he hopes to improve his physical condition and earn a call-up to the Brave Warriors national team. 

Long-term, he dreams of further developing his abilities and securing an opportunity to play professional football beyond Namibia’s borders, whether elsewhere in the Southern African region or overseas. 

“My goal is to play for the national team and eventually become a player who competes outside Namibia,” he says. 

As he continues to grow both as a footballer and as a person, the goalkeeper remains focused on achieving even greater heights while staying true to the values that have guided him throughout his journey. 

-hnalupe@nepc.com.na