• Football

Rundu Chiefs rebrands as a business, dissolves old committee

• 17 Hours Ago

Rundu Chiefs Football Club, also known as Epangero, has officially registered as a close corporation, ushering in a new era of professional management and ambition. Club chairman Agripa Haindongo confirmed the move in an interview with Network Media Hub last weekend, saying the restructuring is aimed at aligning the club with modern football standards.

“Yes, it is registered under close corporation (CC). Currently, we are running it as a modern business. I know football is a business,” Haindongo said. He explained that the club had to dissolve its previously elected management committee and amend its constitution to comply with the legal requirements of a CC. “No hard feelings,” he added. “We simply had to shift direction and do what is necessary to grow.”

As part of this transition, Haindongo appointed a comprehensive technical team to spearhead the day-to-day running of the club. The team includes a technical director, assistant technical director, head coach, assistant coach, team manager, assistant manager, a medical doctor, a goalkeeper coach and other key support staff. A board of directors will soon be announced.

Haindongo said the club is not only focused on the men’s senior team but also runs a youth academy known as Young Chiefs, along with a women’s football team and a netball side. “We are trying by all means to develop all the sports activities. We want to build what we call a ‘round of Chiefs’, which is a union of all the sporting codes under one roof.”

Newly appointed technical director Rustern Mogane, a former Brave Warriors coach, said the club’s ambitions are clear: win promotion to the Namibia Premier League and eventually compete at continental level.

“Rundu Chiefs is one of the biggest clubs, not only in this region but also in the whole country,” Mogane said. “Our aim is not just to survive in the premier league, but to compete, win and ultimately qualify for Confederation of African Football (Caf) competitions. We want to be a force to be reckoned with.”

Mogane said the club had signed top-tier players and built a squad of 30 with premier league experience. “With the support of the chairman and a solid technical team, there’s no reason we shouldn’t finish in the top four, or even win the league.”

Head coach Galiel Pelwan, who joined from Young Brazilians, said the team is already in pre-season and fine-tuning its squad. “Football is a business. If results don’t come, the club has every right to bring in a new coach. That’s the reality of the job,” he said. “But I trust myself and we’ll work hard to make this a great season.”