Football demands more than talent – Hapulile

Hilma Nalupe

At 32, Ndakelwa-Omani Hapulile has experienced the highs and lows of Namibian football, from winning league titles and securing promotion with his hometown club to stepping away from the game because of injury and frustration with football politics.

Despite the challenges, his passion for the sport remains, even as he questions whether players’ sacrifices are worth the rewards.

Hapulile began his football journey in 2012 when he made his debut for the University of Namibia (Unam) in the Southern Stream First Division. He later joined Ramblers FC, where he was appointed captain, before returning to Unam and subsequently signing up for DTS.

After football resumed following the Covid-19 pandemic, he joined Citizens FC under coach Wako, once again assuming the captaincy. A mid-season move to his hometown club, Eeshoke Chula Chula, proved successful as he helped the team win the Northern East First Division title and earn promotion to the Namibia Premier League. The club also lifted the Hage Geingob Cup during his time there.

He then joined Blue Boys FC, adding another Southern Stream First Division title to his achievements. After a period away from football due to injury and frustration with the game’s politics, he returned to DTS in the Khomas Second Division and captained the side back to the Southern Stream First Division.

A game struggling to progress

His experiences have shaped his views on the state of Namibian football, which he believes has stagnated because of inadequate structures, poor organisation and a lack of sustainable opportunities for players.

“I genuinely believe local football has stagnated, and I think the responsibility lies with almost every stakeholder involved, football clubs, players and, to a lesser extent, the supporters,” Hapulile said.

He argues that Namibia has never lacked talent but has struggled to establish systems that can identify, develop, and support players from the grassroots level to the senior game.

Limited career opportunities and modest financial rewards have also forced some talented footballers to abandon the sport in search of more reliable livelihoods.

Although the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation has tried to televise domestic matches, Hapulile believes the league needs greater exposure to attract scouts, agents, sponsors, and broader public interest.

He remains optimistic that professionalising the domestic league, alongside increased corporate sponsorship and better administration, could improve standards and create more opportunities for players.

The cost of playing football

The financial realities of local football remain a major concern.

“Let me be clear: throughout my football journey, the money I have spent pursuing and living my passion has far exceeded the money I have earned from the game,” he said.

Hapulile explains that only two clubs during his career provided genuinely rewarding financial returns. At most of the others, football was more of an expense than a source of income.

He was fortunate to balance the sport with a corporate career, so he didn’t have to rely entirely on football for income. He recognises that many players lack the same security and face uncertainty when their careers end.

Injuries, delayed salaries, questionable contracts and inadequate retirement support are among the challenges he believes require urgent attention.

Life beyond the pitch

These realities have also influenced the advice he gives younger players. Hapulile encourages them to pursue education, gain qualifications, and build careers beyond football rather than relying solely on their playing careers.

He believes football can provide valuable networks, discipline, and exposure to opportunities, but players must use those experiences intentionally to build their futures. Money earned from sport, however limited, should be invested in education and personal development.

His approach to football is also reflected in his leadership. Having captained several clubs, Hapulile credits his parents with instilling values of hard work, humility, respect and discipline. He believes leadership requires setting an example, putting the team first and understanding how to motivate different personalities.

At DTS, where he leads younger players, he has learnt that encouragement can sometimes be more effective than criticism. For him, leadership is not simply about wearing the captain’s armband but earning teammates’ trust through consistent actions.

Love for the game

Despite his concerns about the sport, Hapulile’s attachment to football remains deeply personal. The game has demanded sacrifices involving his finances, studies, career, relationships and family life, yet he has repeatedly returned to it.

“Football, perhaps even more so in Namibia, is the most unfaithful lover a man can choose,” he said.

The comparison reflects the contradiction at the heart of his journey: a sport that often gives little back financially but continues to command his loyalty. While he admits that football has taken more than it has given, he carries no bitterness about the sacrifices he has made. Looking ahead, Hapulile believes meaningful progress requires collective responsibility. Football authorities must strengthen governance, clubs must develop sustainable structures, and players must embrace discipline and professionalism. Better facilities, clear development pathways, fair contracts and improved player welfare are equally important.

Ultimately, he wants a football environment that nurtures talent rather than losing it to circumstances, and where players can pursue their ambitions without sacrificing their financial security and future prospects.

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