At just 23 years old, Unam FC winger Simon Daniel is already making his presence felt on the wing, where his speed and confidence on the ball have become a key part of the team’s attacking play.
Daniel’s journey, however, did not begin in big stadiums or structured academies. It started in the informal settlement of Five Rand in Okahandja, where football quickly became more than just a pastime.
“I was raised in an informal settlement called Five Rand in Okahandja. I started playing football at the age of eight when I joined Dollar United, a team that plays in the Okahandja Social League. From there, I continued developing my talent and later had the opportunity to participate in the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup, which helped me gain more experience and exposure in football.”
Playing on the wing demands relentless pace, sharp thinking and creativity: qualities Daniel continues to sharpen every time he steps onto the pitch.
“As a player who relies a lot on speed and dribbling, I try to use my pace to beat defenders on the wing and create space for my teammates. When I get the ball, I focus on taking on defenders and moving quickly into attacking areas. My dribbling helps me get past opponents, and once I create space, I try to deliver accurate crosses into the box so my teammates can score.”
Despite his growing influence on the field, Daniel remains aware that his journey is still unfolding.
“As a young player, I know there is always room for improvement. Right now, I am working on improving my decision-making on the ball, my crossing accuracy, and my defensive awareness when playing as a right back. I also focus on maintaining my fitness and improving my overall understanding of the game.”
During Saturday’s Namibia Premier Football League clash against KK Palace, Daniel was particularly lively on the wing, constantly pushing forward and looking to unlock the opposition defence.
“Before the match, the coach instructed me to move into open spaces and use my speed to stretch the opposition defence. He also encouraged me to get forward as much as possible and deliver many crosses into the box to create scoring opportunities for the team.”
Modern wingers are expected to contribute at both ends of the pitch, a responsibility Daniel takes seriously.
“As a winger or right back, I understand that I have responsibilities both in attack and defence. When we are attacking, I try to push forward, create chances, and provide crosses or assists. When we lose the ball, I quickly track back to help the defence and support my teammates. It is important to maintain that balance so the team remains strong in both attack and defence.” With the season nearing its end, Daniel remains focused on the bigger picture: a future that stretches far beyond the current campaign.
“My personal goal is to continue working hard and improving my game so that I can make a name for myself in football. I also dream of one day receiving a national team call-up and representing my country at the highest level,” he said.
Daniel’s coach, Robert Nauseb, said that Daniel one day just turned up at Unam’s training and asked to join the training.
“The boy just arrived at training to watch. He approached me and asked to train with the team. I asked if he had football boots, and the rest is history.
He has a great future; we need to work on some areas, but he is a good player who contributes to the club,” he said.
– lmupetami@nepc.com.na