From Katutura’s street football to England

For many young footballers growing up in Katutura, the dream of playing professionally abroad often feels impossible. But for Alex-Romio Kenamuinjo (21), who currently plays for Pilkington Football Club in England, that dream is becoming a reality.

Kenamuinjo’s football journey began at just 10 years old after being spotted playing street football and joining a church team.

He later represented his primary school in the Namibia Schools Sport Union, initially playing as a winger and striker before coaches converted him into a centre-back because of his leadership qualities.

“I started off as a winger/striker in which I was a goal scoring machine for the under 11s, but my school coach converted me into a centre back age 13 and made me captain,” he says.

His talent quickly became impossible to ignore. He captained Namibia’s under-13 national team at 12 years old during a tournament in Lesotho after impressing at national trials under coach Bertus Bock.

He was also scouted by Tura Magic before continuing his development under coach James Britz at Kaizen Football Academy, where he believes he became the player he is today.

In 2018, Kenamuinjo came close to making Namibia’s under-17 squad but narrowly missed out. It was a heartbreaking setback, but one that opened another door when Ajax Cape Town invited him to South Africa, where he tested himself against top opposition.

Back in Namibia, he represented the Omaheke region at the 2019 Scorpion Zinc Tournament, finished as a runner-up and was named Centaurus High School’s sportsman of the year in the same year.

Kenamuinjo was recalled to captain Namibia’s under-17 side for a planned tour to Germany in 2020, but the Covid-19 pandemic cancelled the trip.

He later moved to England where the versatile defender has played for Prescot Cables, Runcorn Linnets, FC St Helens, Litherland Remyca, Pilkington FC and Liverpool John Moores University.

At Runcorn Linnets, he enjoyed an outstanding first season, contributing 12 goals and 15 assists in all competitions despite operating mainly as a right-back.

His performances earned him trials with Everton Academy, Burnley, Morecambe and FC United of Manchester, but a serious ankle ligament injury during his final trial week at Burnley denied him a contract.

Today, Alex is mentored by former France and Tottenham defender Pascal Chimbonda and renowned performance coach Mick Clegg, who previously worked with Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United.

He says they have taught him that professionalism, discipline, recovery and mentality are what separates good players from elite ones and our boys back at home in Namibia.

Off the pitch, Kenamuinjo also graduated with a degree in sport psychology from Liverpool John Moores University, balancing football with academics while strengthening the mental side of his game.

“Balancing football and university wasn’t easy. There were days when I had lectures, assignments, training and matches all in the same week. It required discipline, good time management and sacrifice. Studying sport psychology has helped me understand the mental side of performance” he says.

With interest from clubs in Scotland and Wales, Kenamuinjo is now weighing up his next move as he looks to return to full-time professional football.

His ultimate goal remains clear: to wear the Brave Warriors jersey at senior level. “Hopefully the next CAF qualifiers in 2027 as that’s the main goal we are working on here in England,” he says.

“My story is proof that where you come from doesn’t determine where you can go,” he says. “If you stay humble, trust God, keep working and never give up, anything is possible. I believe the best is still to come.”

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