Dalene Kooper 

In the arid, rocky plains of the harbour town of Lüderitz in the //Kharas region, where competition and exposure are rare, A 27-year-old full time biology teacher is moonlighting as a football coach to fulfil his passion to drive the Namibian child forward. 

As if teaching singularly does not demand too much from him, Festus Hailonga assures that it is ‘doable’ to coach a football team despite admitting that it is not easy. 

“Balancing a full-time teaching job with a coaching career is not easy, it’s basically two full-time roles competing for the same hours. It is doable if you’re intentional about structure and boundaries. It takes a lot of discipline and proper time management skills,” Hailonga said. 

The football coach, also known as ‘Maslale’ in Lüderitz, began coaching school football teams until deciding to register a football club called ‘Young Ones Football Club’ under //Kharas region third division last year. 

“I started coaching through school teams until I realised that the boys needed exposure to compete at a higher level. That’s when I decided to register a football club under the Kharas region third division,” Hailonga said. 

Hailonga shared that the 2025/26 season was their first time officially partaking on that level, saying that they finished fifth in the //Kharas region third division. 

He has been coaching for nearly six years, Hailonga said that he enjoys both professions as he serves and guides the Namibian child. 

Hailonga’s best achievements as a football coach in the //Kharas region are heading the U/15 //Kharas region football team to secure a silver medal at the Debmarine National championship in 2023. His team were runners-up in the Governor’s cup championship in 2024 and won the title in 2025. He has also served as the head coach for the regional team at the National youth games. 

Living by the motto ‘Each one, teach one’, Hailonga is inspired to mould and shape young players by building their character and instilling discipline in their lives. 

He looks up to the likes of Jurgen Klopp, a German football manager, mirroring his tactics for his own gain. 

“As a coach, I look up to tacticians like Jürgen Klopp not just because he wins, but because he is a type of coach that connects and builds teams in the way he leads,” the coach adds. 

Hailonga values his football players and believes in words of motivation to encourage his players, whilst instilling mutual respect among them. 

Lüderitz, being a secluded coastal town, Hailonga said competition is weak as only a few teams exist in town and that the town lacks exposure. 

Besides the annual Harders cup tournament, the biggest football show piece held in Lüderitz. It draws huge crowds and talent from all corners of the great //Kharas region. Hailonga hopes for more opportunities for his boys to shine and attract sponsorships. 

The coach said his main challenge as a young coach is getting his players to balance football and school, as it is the only form of diverting their attention away from the dangers of the streets. 

“Keeping players motivated is also another challenge, especially during the off-season. As a coach, you must constantly monitor your players, ensuring that they stay in shape and maintain discipline. Keep them away from alcohol and drugs,” Hailonga said. 

-dkooper@nepc.com.na