Zebaldt Ngaruka

Namibian young professional footballer Prins Tjiueza, who plies his trade for South African Premiership outfit Cape Town City, said he has ambitions to play in Europe. 

New Era Sport caught up with the sensational promising star player, who spent two seasons in the Kosovo Super League (KSL) in Eastern Europe.

Tjiueza was signed by Cape Town City from KSL’s team Liria Prizren, following his impressive performances at this year’s African Cup of Nations (Afcon) tournament in Ivory Coast.

During his four-year stay in Kosovo, he netted 14 goals in the first season at the club, and
secured five in his second spell.

His scores totalled 19 goals for the club before his departure to the South African side.

Cape Town City signed the Namibian international in January 2024.

However, he failed to play for the side due to an injury that kept him out of action for six months. 

Tjiueza said Cape Town City was already in talks with him ahead of the competition in Ivory Coast. 

He penned a four-year contract with the team from Cape Town, stating that every footballer wishes to play in the best leagues in the world. He said he will grab that opportunity when it comes his way.

“That is obvious. Football is a short-term career. One has to grab that opportunity when it comes, especially from the European leagues. It is something beneficial. But for now, my only focus is my current club and the PSL campaign,” he said.

The Walvis Bay-born player noted that the PSL is one of the best leagues in Africa due to its professionalism, facilities and competitiveness.

“The fans here are amazing. They cheer for you 90 minutes, and do not just judge players through media,” Tjiueza said.

The player’s target at the Cape Town-based team was to win one or two trophies before the end of the year, which was the team’s priority as well.

“In football, things happen. As an individual, I want to challenge myself to hit double digits in goals, and help the team win something or finish in a Champions League spot – come the end of May 2025,” he said.

He revealed that life in Cape Town has been good since his arrival, and he feels at home.

“I am enjoying every moment both on and off the field. The fans and players have been waiting for me to recover fully since January. They were eager to see me wearing the City shirt,” he said. 

He acknowledged his previous club Liria Prizren in Kosovo for granting him the taste of European football. 

“It was a great opportunity. I loved the club over there. The fans were amazing, and I appreciate all,” he reminisced. 

Tjiueza believes that his current team has more ambitions than his previous club – something that suits him as a determined player. “I am a player who wants to win many things, and playing in the PSL, which is more competitive than the Kosovo Super League, will help me to achieve my dreams,” he said.  He started his PSL campaign on a high note when he scored in his debut match against Royal AM.

 Overall, he has netted two times for City in five league appearances so far.

“For me to come back from a long-term injury, being out for six months and start like that, is unbelievable. But then if you look at Cape Town City, there is Aprocius Petrus, whom we played together for the Namibia national team. I think that helped me a lot,” he remarked. 

He recognised the assistance he received from teammates throughout the pre-season as one of the positive contributions to his form.

Asked which position he preferred to play, he said although he enjoys positions like striker or left-wing forward, he prefers to play as an attacking midfielder. 

“This is because I have been playing as an attacking midfielder almost my whole career,” he said.

Tjiueza disclosed that he enjoys being a striker at  club level, as it benefits him to be a more versatile player. 

“This versatility also helps me to grow as an individual in different positions when required,” he said.

This publication asked for the player’s views on the Brave Warriors’ failure to qualify for the continental showpiece, Afcon, next year.

He said it is disappointing for Namibia not to be represented at the tournament, but it is
normal in football.

“These were not the results we wanted – but in football, there will be times when things might not go our way. Maybe God said is not this year. Afcon is gone, and there’s nothing we can do about that,” he stated.

The player is positive that the Brave Warriors will bounce back and make great achievements, like preparing for the World Cup qualifiers next year.

Tjiueza said the development of sport infrastructures in Namibia is the key to the success of sport in the country. 

“One good example is the current state our national team find itself in, as we are playing our home games away from home. This disadvantages us because we want to see our family, friends and fans cheering for us – not just watching on TV,” he said.

The utility player is concerned about the Namibia Premier Football League (NPFL), citing that the business community and corporate companies must come on board and help develop football.

“The stakeholders must think and help the football players in the league, as these players have families to look after. Giving back to the community is not something bad because you are creating something for the Namibian child,” he stated. 

Representing the senior national team at the age of 16 remains the highlight of his career.

“It was a historic occasion, and the rest is history,” said the player.

He added that hard work, sacrifice, discipline and the ability to learn every day are the key attributes of being a professional footballer. 

He started his football at the Young United Academy in Walvis Bay in 2020/21.

He then joined Blue Waters in the premier league before being signed by European outfit Liria Prizren from 2022 to 2024.

– zngaruka@yahoo.com