Erasmus Shalihaxwe
The Ohangwena Regional Football Association has appointed a technical team to manage the regional under-20 team for the Nedbank Newspaper Cup 2025.
Oom Kamati will lead the team as department head, with Kadhila Silva as his deputy.
Leonard Nangombe has been named head coach, supported by Matheus Hameva as first assistant coach and Lineekela Shalyefu as second assistant coach.
Asser Ndinondjene will serve as goalkeeper coach, Member Nashivela as kit manager, and Veronica Johannes as team manager.
Simon Hedimbi is the team doctor, and Fredrick Sitali is the safeguarding officer.
Kamati told the Windhoek Observer that nearly 60 under-20 players in the region have registered with FIFA’s Connect Programme.
The technical team will select players from this list for trials before finalising the squad.
Kamati expressed concerns about the team’s past performance in the youth tournament, which takes place during the Easter weekend.
The Ohangwena region has never won the cup, though they reached the final twice. This year, they aim to improve.
“I think one of the issues we have been facing in the past is the selection method of players, but things will be different now that we are taking players from the FIFA Connect. We also have a good feeling and faith in the technical team that has been appointed. They can take the team far,” said Kamati.
Training preparations have improved as the team now practices on a grass field.
In previous years, they trained on gravel fields, which posed challenges when competing on grass turf during tournaments.
“We are now training at the stadium with grass in Helao Nafidi, which makes training easier, and players will not face challenges playing on grass turf during the tournament,” he added.
Ohangwena has been drawn in group B for this year’s edition alongside Oshana, Kunene and Khomas. While the netball team is in group A with Kavango West, Oshikoto, Zambezi, Otjozondjupa, //Karas and Khomas.
