50 Namibian footballers playing abroad 

Namibian football has witnessed a significant rise in foreign exports, with a growing number of players moving abroad in search of greener pastures.

The list of Namibian footballers playing outside the country stands at 50 players and counting, reflecting the strongest period of player exports in the nation’s history.

Recent transfer windows have seen Namibia enjoy its best-ever export numbers, with players signing for clubs across Europe, Asia, and Africa. South Africa tops the list with the highest number of Namibian players abroad, boasting 13 players, followed by Zimbabwe with nine players, while Botswana ranks third with seven players.

EUROPE

Europe is home to 15 Namibian players spread across seven countries.

In Italy, Namibia is represented by midfielder Mukuture Koujo, who signed for San Frediano FC, a seventh-division (Prima Categoria) club based in Florence, last August.

England hosts four Namibian players. Senior national team right-back Ryan Nyambe plays for Reading FC in the English Championship on loan from Derby County, after overcoming injury setbacks last season.

Two exciting youngsters have also secured moves to England’s biggest academies: 14-year-old midfielder Rukeeveni Kuzatjike, who joined Manchester City’s academy in December 2025, and Ozil Hembapu, who continues his development at the Liverpool Academy after joining the club in 2022 at the age of nine. Former Kaizen Football Academy player Alex Kenamuinjo now plays for Pilkington FC in the North West Counties Premier Division.

The Netherlands, Kosovo, and Spain all have two Namibian players. The most recent European transfer saw 19-year-old centre-back Tjiuanatjo Kakuenje, a former Namibia U17 captain, join Albacete Balompié FC in Spain’s second division from Bucks Buccaneers FC. He features for the club’s U19 side. Also in Spain is midfielder Nowelle Dunaiski, who joined fifth-division side CD Laguna de Duero FC last September.

In Kosovo, Namibian duo Romeo Kasume (formerly of Tura Magic) and Uetuuru Kambato (formerly of African Stars) both ply their trade at Liria Prizren in the First Division. Both players have represented the senior Namibian senior national team.

The Netherlands is home to midfielder Gerald Alders (20), on loan at SC Telstar from Ajax Amsterdam, where he has been part of the club’s academy system. Another youngster, Leevi Kamuhanga (21), plays for FC Emmen U21s in the Dutch Eerste Divisie. He previously played in Germany’s Verbandsliga with VfB 1903 Sangerhausen FC before returning to Namibia to join Bucks Buccaneers FC.

In Germany, 30-year-old attacking midfielder Ensley Gariseb plays for SC Hainberg, while experienced defensive midfielder Manfred Starke (34), features for fifth-division side FC Einheit Rudolstadt after spending much of his career in Germany’s second and third tiers in Germany. Another Namibian talent in Germany is Nilton Gertze, who plays for VfL Germania FC.

Meanwhile, one of Namibia’s most highly rated defensive midfielder and a player viewed as part of the country’s future, 24-year-old Tjipe Karuuombe (formerly Unam FC), plays in Georgia’s Erovnuli Liga 2.

ASIA

Asia hosts four Namibian players across four different countries. Former Kaizen Academy product Denzel Hamulua plays for BSL United in Thailand. One of Namibia’s most admired footballers, Petrus Shitembi, widely regarded as the country’s finest attacking midfielder, plays for Kuching City FC in the Malaysian Premier League and recently scored and assisted in their last game.

Former Mighty Gunners FC Centre back Sisqo Haraseb plays for Al-Qassim FC in the Iraqi Premier League on loan from Mochudi Centre Chiefs FC of Botswana. Defender Kennedy Amutenya, also formerly of Mochudi Centre Chiefs, plays in Saudi Arabia’s First Division with Jeddah FC.

AFRICA

Africa remains the primary destination for Namibian footballers abroad, with 31 players spread across the continent.

South Africa leads with 13 Namibian players, including two of the country’s greatest-ever exports: Peter Shalulile at Mamelodi Sundowns and Deon Hotto at Orlando Pirates.

The list also includes goalkeepers Edward Moava (Golden Arrows), Lloydt Kazapua (Black Leopards), and Ndisiro Kamaijanda (Highbury FC). Other players plying their trade in South Africa are Prins Tjiueza (Cape Town City), Elmo Kambindu (AmaZulu), Bethuel Muzeu (Black Leopards), Joslin Kamatuka (Durban City), Tully Nashixwa (Richards Bay), Riaan Hanamub (AmaZulu), Ngero Katua (Highbury FC), and Jabeer Jagot (Kapstadt FC).

Zimbabwe recorded a notable influx, with six new Namibian players joining during the 2026 transfer window, adding to three who arrived the previous season. The newcomers are Kennedy Eib (Simba Bhora) from Bucks Buccaneers, Alfeus Leevi (Simba Bhora) from Blue Waters, McCartney Nawaseb (Simba Bhora) from Rundu Chiefs, Mbakondja Tjahikika (Platinum FC) from African Stars, and Tyrese Hikupembe and Alex Ueere Mumbango, both of Chicken Inn FC, from Unam.

Players who joined earlier include Sadney Urikhob (Yadah FC), Isaskar Gurirab (Scotland FC), and Moses Shidolo (Scotland FC).

Botswana, which previously had 12 Namibian players, has seen the number reduced to seven. The players in Botswana are Ivan Kamberipa (Gaborone United), Dynamo Fredricks (Jwaneng Galaxy), Marcel Papama (Township Rollers), Obrey Omseb (Gaborone United), Marius Kotze (Sua Flamingoes), Denver Meyer (Thamaga Shooting Stars), and Uaraa Hangara (Sankoyo Bush Bucks).

Elsewhere on the continent, Sudan and Libya each host one Namibian player. Aprocius Petrus previously played for Cape Town City FC in South Africa and now plays for Al Hilal of Sudan, competing in the Rwanda Premier League, while Rewaldo Prins, who played for Khomas Nampol FC, plays for Al-Afreeki FC in Libya.

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