Baumfuchile is new Brave Warriors coach

THE Namibian Football Association (NFA) has identified Zambia’s Ben Baumfuchile as the new coach for the Brave Warriors and is currently finalising his contract before he takes up his duties next week.

The Namibian Sport established from a reliable source yesterday that Baumfuchile got the nod ahead of Zimbabwe’s Shepherd Murape in a race that was considered too close to call. Baumfuchile will first be required to take the current President’s XI to Brazil for a training camp, while he will also lead them through several international friendlies before they take on Seychelles in a Cosafa Castle Cup match in Windhoek on July 22.The NFA’s Barry Rukoro yesterday refused to confirm the appointment of the coach, saying that the announcement will only be made when Baumfuchile puts pen to paper.Baumfuchile was the caretaker coach of the Zambian national team and served as assistant to Kalusha Bwalya before he applied for the Namibian job.The former Zambian striker Bwalya has since resigned as Zambia’s coach.At the moment, the President’s XI, is led by local coaches Brian Isaacs, Dawid Snewe and former Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronnie Kanalelo.The 45-year-old Baumfuchile coached former South African premiership club Amazulu and recently relegated PSL team Bush Bucks in the late ’90s.He also led Zambian premiership club Red Devils to league honours in 1989.Baumfuchile was also an assistant coach to Englishman Ian Porterfield when Zambia reached the African Cup final in 1994 with the team that was captained by Bwalya.A member of the famous Nkana Football Club that dominated the Zambian league in the 1980s, Bamfuchile has been Bwalya’s assistant since he was appointed Zambian head coach in 2003 and, during that time, spent about half a year improving his coaching credentials in Holland.Murape, who has also done his rounds with several South African premiership clubs, has coached the Namibian national team before and is currently the coach of two-time premiership champions Blue Waters.The position of the Brave Warriors coach has been vacant since last year April.Murape said yesterday that he had not received any feedback from the association regarding his application.”The last time they asked us to produce the certificates, but since then I have not heard from them,” he said.Baumfuchile will first be required to take the current President’s XI to Brazil for a training camp, while he will also lead them through several international friendlies before they take on Seychelles in a Cosafa Castle Cup match in Windhoek on July 22.The NFA’s Barry Rukoro yesterday refused to confirm the appointment of the coach, saying that the announcement will only be made when Baumfuchile puts pen to paper.Baumfuchile was the caretaker coach of the Zambian national team and served as assistant to Kalusha Bwalya before he applied for the Namibian job.The former Zambian striker Bwalya has since resigned as Zambia’s coach.At the moment, the President’s XI, is led by local coaches Brian Isaacs, Dawid Snewe and former Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronnie Kanalelo.The 45-year-old Baumfuchile coached former South African premiership club Amazulu and recently relegated PSL team Bush Bucks in the late ’90s.He also led Zambian premiership club Red Devils to league honours in 1989.Baumfuchile was also an assistant coach to Englishman Ian Porterfield when Zambia reached the African Cup final in 1994 with the team that was captained by Bwalya.A member of the famous Nkana Football Club that dominated the Zambian league in the 1980s, Bamfuchile has been Bwalya’s assistant since he was appointed Zambian head coach in 2003 and, during that time, spent about half a year improving his coaching credentials in Holland.Murape, who has also done his rounds with several South African premiership clubs, has coached the Namibian national team before and is currently the coach of two-time premiership champions Blue Waters.The position of the Brave Warriors coach has been vacant since last year April.Murape said yesterday that he had not received any feedback from the association regarding his application.”The last time they asked us to produce the certificates, but since then I have not heard from them,” he said.

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.

The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency, while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.