In a significant move, John Sikerete and Leonard Katti Nambandi have been appointed as head coaches for Namibia’s CHAN tournament matches. Their leadership comes with a major decision that has stirred excitement among Namibian football fans—the return of Awillo Stephanus to the national squad.
Awillo, who has won the Top Scorer Award back-to-back in the Namibian Premier League, has long been a fan favorite. Many Namibians hoped to see him represent the national team. However, since Benjamin Collin’s tenure as coach, the African Stars winger has only been seen supporting from the sidelines, with no playing opportunities.
In a surprise move, coaches Sikerete and Kambandi have decided to bring back Awillo, reigniting enthusiasm among supporters. Coach Sikerete expressed confidence in his decision, stating,
“Awillo was already in the setup of the national team; it’s just that what’s inside the house, no one knows. It wasn’t even difficult to call him up, but consultations were made with all coaches involved. We know what Awillo brings to the team, and I hope he will deliver.”
The Namibian team will face Lesotho in the CHAN first-leg match from October 25 to 27, with the second leg scheduled for November 1 to 3. Fans are hopeful that Awillo’s return will add a new dimension to the team’s performance on the international stage.