28 years of Young Chiefs

With the NFA Debmarine Cup quarterfinal looming for Oshakati -based Young Chiefs, it was in the club's wildest dreams that they could advance this far in the competition.Formed in 1989, the club is now the only remaining hope and pride of the north after Oshakati City struggled to return to topflight football. Their drive to advance in the NFA Debmarine Cup is said to have been motivated by the fact that they want northern Namibia to embrace them.The team also plays for founders Vaino Amuthenu and Fifi Shilunga who created the club just before Independence.Gaining promotion to the premier league has been one of the greatest achievements in the club's history.The club entered the premier league scene during the 2015/16 campaign and managed to avoid relegation in their first season.Training on a dusty gravel field next to the Oshakati Independence Stadium, the team now prepare for one of their toughest encounters yet.They will have to travel over 900km to battle Eastern Chiefs in their own backyard in the NFA Debmarine Cup quarterfinals on 29 July.At the start of the competition, no one would have guessed that the boys from Oshakati would make it this far.But they have proven all the critics wrong by producing thrilling performances on their journey to the quarterfinals.They managed to beat Bee Bob Brothers 3-1 in the last 16 to book their place in the Gobabis spectacle.“This team has come a long way and I think many people in the north are proud of what we have achieved during the years.“It has not been an easy journey for us to become a club, but we have indeed managed to make the most of Young Chiefs.“Gaining promotion to the Namibia Premier League was brilliant for us and our fans.“The fans have made such a huge contribution as far as ensuring that the team has people behind it whenever it struggled,” spokesperson Nicky Kapuka said. With the absence of the 2016/17 Namibia Premier League season, the Debmarine Cup is the club's only hope to get a piece of silverware.The club however acknowledges that it does have a long way to go before it can start thinking of the trophy.Clubs like Civics, Young Africa, Tura Magic, Try Again, Eastern Chiefs, Rundu Chiefs and Mighty Gunners all still have a say as to who will win the prestigious prize.“The draw for us came as no surprise because we knew that any club we will come up against in the quarterfinal will be very strong.“At this stage of the competition, there are no easy teams because they would have not been here if it was not for their character.“Our plan is to take it one step at a time and that is why our main focus is not winning the trophy now.“Eastern Chiefs will be playing on their own home ground and that is why we await a tough match,” he said.JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA

28 years of Young Chiefs

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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28 years of Young Chiefs

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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