Mbakera 'caretaker' at Tigers
Outgoing Tigers coach Woody Jacobs has confirmed he is in talks with newly promoted NPL outfit Okahandja United.
Tigers Football Club have not decided whether to headhunt a new coach before the start of the 2018/19 MTC Namibia Premier League (NPL) season, after the resignation of Woody Jacobs.
The club will use the services of newly appointed assistant coach and former player Mervin Mbakera in a caretaker role for now.
Jacobs announced his resignation with immediate on Sunday, despite having another year to go on his contract with the club.
His resignation comes in a wake of speculation that he is unhappy with the way the Tigers management has treated him.
Jacobs did not give any reasons why is he parting ways with the club he joined in the middle of the 2017/18 season.
Club spokesperson Hafeni Hiveluah confirmed they are not in a hurry to look for a replacement.
“Mervin Mbakera is a guy with vast of coaching credentials and that is why we brought him into the team.
“We are happy to give him the task of taking over from Jacobs for the moment,” Hiveluah said.
Mbakera started his career at Life Fighters in 2003 - a club his father Alfeus Mbakera co-founded with others.
He later joined Tigers in 2008, where he played until 2015 before deciding to retire from competitive football to pursue a coaching career.
Mbakera now holds a NFA C-licence coaching qualification, as well as a C-licence from the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
He has coached Namibia's under-17 women's national football team.
Speculation has been rife that the club has a keen interest in bringing league-winning coach and former African Stars mentor Bobby Samaria into the fold.
Tigers FC, however, continues to rebuff this rumour.
“As for the Bobby Samaria rumours, we do not have any comment on such developments.
“The public must also know that Jacobs was not forced out of this club nor was it a management issue,” Hivelua fumed.
Namibian Sun has learnt that newly promoted Okahandja United have their eyes firmly fixed on Jacobs, and has tabled an irresistible offer.
“Well I have been in talks with the club but I have not made up my mind about the move yet.
“A part of me feels like I have to take a break from coaching Namibian football, while another part of me is eager to continue.
“We have not reached any agreement with Okahandja United yet, but I will let you know once I make my decision,” Jacobs said.
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
The club will use the services of newly appointed assistant coach and former player Mervin Mbakera in a caretaker role for now.
Jacobs announced his resignation with immediate on Sunday, despite having another year to go on his contract with the club.
His resignation comes in a wake of speculation that he is unhappy with the way the Tigers management has treated him.
Jacobs did not give any reasons why is he parting ways with the club he joined in the middle of the 2017/18 season.
Club spokesperson Hafeni Hiveluah confirmed they are not in a hurry to look for a replacement.
“Mervin Mbakera is a guy with vast of coaching credentials and that is why we brought him into the team.
“We are happy to give him the task of taking over from Jacobs for the moment,” Hiveluah said.
Mbakera started his career at Life Fighters in 2003 - a club his father Alfeus Mbakera co-founded with others.
He later joined Tigers in 2008, where he played until 2015 before deciding to retire from competitive football to pursue a coaching career.
Mbakera now holds a NFA C-licence coaching qualification, as well as a C-licence from the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
He has coached Namibia's under-17 women's national football team.
Speculation has been rife that the club has a keen interest in bringing league-winning coach and former African Stars mentor Bobby Samaria into the fold.
Tigers FC, however, continues to rebuff this rumour.
“As for the Bobby Samaria rumours, we do not have any comment on such developments.
“The public must also know that Jacobs was not forced out of this club nor was it a management issue,” Hivelua fumed.
Namibian Sun has learnt that newly promoted Okahandja United have their eyes firmly fixed on Jacobs, and has tabled an irresistible offer.
“Well I have been in talks with the club but I have not made up my mind about the move yet.
“A part of me feels like I have to take a break from coaching Namibian football, while another part of me is eager to continue.
“We have not reached any agreement with Okahandja United yet, but I will let you know once I make my decision,” Jacobs said.
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
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