Any footballer worth their salt who have at some stage in their playing career shared the dressing room with the great Times Mwetuyela, should not be taken lightly. Logic suggest they must have possessed extra ordinary talent and skill to rub shoulders with the much adored left footed attacker. 

If one has to define the magical talent of Meester Willem Hans, many will define him in one word ‘Ace in the pack’, a brilliant game reader, the energetic speedy winger with the delicious left foot and quick eye for a killer pass knew exactly what to do on the football pitch, he could see things others were unable to comprehend.

Armed with strong leadership qualities second to none, Hans was the go-to-man when the chaps were down popping up with vital match winning goals, organize the pattern of play and packed dynamite in his poisonous left boot. Although Hans played most of his football for the schools team, he occasionally turned out for old location outfit Rocco Swallows, where he formed a deadly combination with the equally dangerous pair of Sigab Williams, and Horongo Engelbrecht in the firing line. 

Hans often featured for Khomasdal old-timers Eleven Strangers where he constantly found himself subjected to unprovoked tribal prejudices as some conservative members from the colored/baster community made it their sole beat to alert the cops about Hans’ apparent ‘unsanctioned’ presence in Khomasdal, a residential area primarily reserved for none whites of ‘civilized standards ’. Back in the day, during the dark era of racial segregation Bantus (blacks) were considered an extremely dangerous race for the well-being of minority whites unless they were housemaids or garden boys. 

Nonetheless, this harassment did not fuse his unquenchable appetite for the game that has brought him so much joy and success. The calculated football genius mentored the unplayable Dobra football team, winning several knockout cup tournaments across the length and breadth of the country. Such was Dobra’s dominance that one would often found both the first and second teams contesting the final. 

Hans played a pivotal role when the fired up Central Invitational Eleven sent the visiting Kaizer Eleven packing during their trident of exhibition matches at the packed to rafters Katutura stadium in 1969. 

The much adored tactician was given the green light to coach the all-blacks invitational eleven against their white counterparts in the historic mixed race match at the Suidwes stadium which drew a sold out crowd in 1975. The match ended in a controversial 3-all stalemate. Additionally, he mentored both the SWA Currie Cup side, and the star-studded Central Invitational Eleven…certainly no mean feat. 

Oversaw the rapid progress of several highly gifted young ‘footies’ from the unofficial school of excellence (football wise) and academia. Some of his celebrated protégés were; Albert Louw, Oscar Mengo, Blue Karimbue, Max Johnson, Stouter Ochurub, Benzil Khodiseb, Temu Samaria, Ben Kauejao, Selle Auchumeb, Pius Eigowab, Orlando Damaseb, Gabes Dausab, Stu Damaseb, Frank Fredericks, Rusten Mogane, George Martin, Hannes Louw, Samani Kamerika, Bobby Samaria, and Bimbo Tjihero.

Lest we forget, Hans was thrown in the Lions’ den when he was given the enviable task to select a mixed race youth team during the apartheid era. He has to withstand bullying and systematic intimidation orchestrated by some conservative whites who struggled with their emotions to embrace the spirit of unity and transformation. Hans stood his ground and would not budge…..much to the chagrin of minority white authorities. 

For a man who has done and achieve so much, the dominant view from amongst those who have been in the game a minute is that Hans has been gravely overlooked for accolades. The man boasts a filthy rich resume in Namibian football and should be accorded the respect and recognition he so dearly deserves for his selfless contribution towards the overall development of the game. 

Off the football pitch, the likeable multi lingual educator was very active in politics challenging the racial system, cleverly concealing wanted political activists at the school hostel, as the international law did not allow the blood thirsty law enforcers access to the premises. 

In conclusion, a sincerely humble request, football bosses will be well advised to invite this football mind to a Seminar and tip into his stored well of massive wisdom before transitioning to eternity, Hans still has a lot to offer