Retiring Mbakera has no regrets

Not flashy, and by no means spectacular, it was easy for former Tigers’ player Mervin Mbakera’s work to go unnoticed while playing in the heart of midfield.But to football purists, the midfielder was the epitome of the efficiency and simplicity that so often lacks in local football.Over the last few years Mbakera has had to juggle coaching duties –he’s coach of TISAN’s women’s team and the women’s national Under-17 team- with his playing responsibilities. As a result, he has opted to concentrate on doing only one, with his work on the sidelines getting preference. Namibian Sun (NS) caught up with the 29-year-old to discuss why he has decided to quit playing in the Namibia Premier League after nearly ten years at the top level.NS: Where did it all start for you?MM: It basically started with playing in the streets of Otjiwarongo. Back then we were not exposed to technology, so playing was the only thing to do.NS: When did playing become serious for you?MM: At the age of about 14 years a guy called Harold Katjivena started a team called Machacha FC. The team had started as a social team but since it had all the young, especially OtjiHerero speaking players, we started playing in the second division. Two years later I joined Global Warriors, where I played with guys like Gerry Keister and Armas Kapunda. Not long after that I signed for Life Fighters, but I only played one game or so.NS: Those teams are all from Otjiwarongo. How did you end up in Windhoek then?MM: When I finished matric, I came to study at the Polytechnic of Namibia (now Namibia University of Science and Technology) in 2005. This is when Willem Kapukare, who was coach of the University of Namibia team [at that time competing in the South Stream First Division], recruited me to his team. I have to say Kapukare was the coach that introduced me to the tactical aspects of the game.NS: Your stay at the UNAM team was not long, though.MM: No, it wasn’t... You see, I failed my first year at the Polytechnic and they refused to take me back. That’s why I ended up at the Teacher’s College. I started playing in the TISAN games and was part of the team that won gold in the CUCSA games in Malawi in 2008. That same year, Kapukare was appointed Tigers coach and he again recruited me, this time alongside Dudes [Willem Mwedihanga].NS: And you played for them until now. What are some of your highlights with Tigers over the years?MM: Firstly, being the one of youngest players to captain club at the age of 21. In 2008, I was asked to captain the team against Blue Waters, who needed points to avoid relegation. I lead the boys to victory and that was very satisfactory.My second highlight is that over the years coaches have come and gone but I played regularly under all of them. That suggests that I did something right.Another highlight was winning the Bidvest Namibia Cup in 2015. I won the tournament as a player/coach and I have to thank Bobby Samaria for giving me the opportunity to become part of his technical team at the time.NS: Do you have any regrets, especially since you never turned out for the full national team?MM: God works in strange ways and yes I always wanted to play for the Brave Warriors but perhaps I was not meant to represent my country as a player. I have already represented Namibia as a coach and I am the first coach to win an away game with the junior national sides. So I cannot have regrets about not playing for the national team.NS: Now that you are embarking on a coaching career, what kind of mentor can we expect you to be?MM: I have played under many of Namibia’s top coaches and I can say that I’ve picked up something from all of them. As an example, Woody Jacobs is one of the best player managers I have seen as he looks at them as humans. Then you have Brian Isaacks, who is very good tactically. And of course Samaria, Kapukare and Tollie van Wyk, among others have also coached me. So I’ll be a combination of what I have seen from them. Plus my background as a teacher helps me to know how to interact with the players and that will help me. NS: You are bringing a lot of big names to play in your testimonial, including Zimbabwean Esrom Nyandoro, who played for South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns. What can the people of Otjiwarongo expect from the day?MM: Firstly, I have to thank the former players, who are all big names in their own right, for making themselves available for my testimonial. I think this is a great chance for people to see some of the former stars, whom they only heard about, in action. And without a doubt it will be great fun.HECTOR MAWONGA

Retiring Mbakera has no regrets

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-27

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Retiring Mbakera has no regrets

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-27

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