A deadly clinical finisher in front of goal James Shipunda, was born on the 2 February 1963 in the north-eastern town of Grootfontein, located approximately 500 kilometers from Namibia’s commercial hub Windhoek.

The tallish attacker was just like any other young boys his age in the neighborhood, football crazy. James would kick about anything that resembled a football whenever the slightest opportunity presented itself. Despite growing up supporting and closely family team Dynamos Football Club, James never fulfilled the wishes and aspirations of his elders to represent the family’s treasured asset and preserve culture. 

It’s a complex story it was obvious that I would one day wear the navy and gold stripe of Dynamos, but it was not to be as I ended up in the opposite direction. Truthfully, what actually transpired is we were still very young to play competitive football when we completed our elementary education. 

“Some of the boys went to Okakarara Secondary and Augustineum High Schools in Windhoek respectively while some of found refuge in Khorixas to further our educational aspirations. I was amongst those that chose Khorixas subsequently enrolling at the Cornelius Goreseb Secondary School. 

“As you might be aware school football was very competitive in those years. However when we returned home during the school holydays Chelsea pounced on some of the finest young talent from Omulunga location like starving vultures that’s how I ended up playing for Chelsea Football Club. 

‘Admittedly football wise it would have been a travesty of justice to turn them down as they had a well-polished project with great players in their armory,’ recalls a joyful James with a twinkle in his eyes.

His arrival at Chelsea coincided with the massive squad overhaul as a significant chunk of the old guard started to get a bit long in the tooth after a prolonged successful spell that saw the amazing fired up boys from the fertile maize triangle dominate domestic football with a new brand of pure football virtuosity never witnessed before in that neck of the woods.  

Back in Khorixas, James spearheaded the Cornelius Secondary School star studded football alongside greats; Dawid ‘Big Fellah’ Snewe, Castro Uiseb, Thiamas Eiseb, and Pule Hoeseb, amongst a Galaxy of superstars.  .

Their dead scared opponent dreaded coming face to face with the gold and green stripe outfit as the boys from the semi desert north-west village town went on a rampaging run sweeping their opponents aside in the hotly contested popular multi-sport inter schools games played across the country. 

A deadly proven goal scorer of note James, developed a knack of popping up from nowhere to score vital match winning goals…..much to the delight of his amused teammates. 

Upon retiring from playing competitive league football, James turned his hand in to mentoring youngsters. He has teamed up with few former players from Chelsea in a desperate bid to revive the ailing fortunes of the fallen giants. Chelsea boasts a stinking rich resume in domestic football having taken the game by storm in the mid-80s. 

The untouchable boys from the dusty Omulunga township reached back to back finals of the now defunct coveted Mainstay Cup, only to stumble against Black Africa under dubious circumstances with a little bit of help from the man in the middle. 

James occasionally ran out for local outfit Robber Chanties in the popular knockout tournaments on home soil and Outjo, respectively in addition to playing for Hostel team Blue Waters, casually funded by the Kuisebmund giants, during his boarding at the revered Cornelius Goreseb High School in Khorixas. 

James also coached Oshakati City in the country’s flagship league, leading the team to an astonishing second place finish on the log standings behind champions African Stars in the campaign. The fast galloping attacker enjoyed successful spells with Katutura giants Black Africa and Oshakati outfit African United, albeit briefly.  

The now retired lethal net buster is also very much involved in the development of the game and has been amongst chief advocates for the establishment of a proper blueprint aimed at advancing social and veteran football to be included in properly organised structures. 

Bro James is amongst a trident of football playing siblings following in the footsteps of elder brothers Moses ‘Lang Moke’ Mberira and the late Hafeni Shipunda. 

Sadly, the latter perished during the unprovoked catastrophic Cassinga massacre. May his soul continue to rest in eternal peace in one piece.