The highly-anticipated MTC Maris Cup final is set to take place on 29 March in Windhoek. Young African’s owner and coach Maleagi Ngarizemo will face off against rising force in Namibian football Benedictus Haoseb’s African Stars.
The stakes could not be higher, with a hefty N$1.5 million awaiting the winner. Ngarizemo, whose passion for the game is only matched by his determination, is already gearing up to make sure the prize money lands in his team’s pocket.
“We need the N$1.5 million more than Stars do. We are going to put everything into claiming it,” he boldly stated.
However, the Gobabis-born coach is not naive.
He knows that Stars, under the leadership of Haoseb, are not a team to take lightly.
“It will not be easy, but anything can happen if we are organised on the day. We have the potential to cause a surprise and spoil the day for Stars,” Ngarizemo remarked, acknowledging the challenge that lies ahead.
He said while they are focused on the upcoming final, their immediate attention is on the Debmarine Premier League, which still has a few matches left before the cup showdown.
“Our players are currently focused on the league, but we have about two weeks to prepare for the final. Some of our players who didn’t feature in the semi-finals might make an appearance in the final. We’ll use this time to ensure the entire squad is ready,” he said.
As the date for the final approaches, Ngarizemo’s demeanour has softened. His tone is calm and more measured – a far cry from the fiery attitude that had often characterised his earlier years in the game. This shift in his personality reflects deeper maturity, one that he credits to the lessons football has taught him on and off the pitch.
“The game has taken me on a journey. There have been some tough moments – some that I’d rather forget. But they have all been part of the growth process,” Ngarizemo confessed. His life, shaped by sport, has not been without controversy. It is clear he has learned to evolve.
The coach, who is also a proud father of five and a passionate farmer, is far from the misunderstood figure that some might perceive him to be.
“I don’t really have a lot of friends. I hang out with my brothers – people I trust. I am a good man,” he said, offering a glimpse into the man behind the coach.
His willingness to embrace his imperfections and admit to his past mistakes highlights a humbling side of him that many may not be familiar with.
More than just a football coach, Ngarizemo is a man who has found peace through his involvement in the sport.
“Football has helped me understand the rules of the game better – not just the game itself, but the administrative side of it as well. I now appreciate how sport is growing. I am doing my part in that journey,” he said.
-lmupetami@nepc.com.na