Little-known Rehoboth-based outfit, Flamingoes surprised all and sundry when they were crowned league winners of the Southern Stream First Division on Saturday after defeating Bee Bob Brothers from Mariental 1-0.
Ensuring victory and passage to the MTC Namibia Premier League, was former Tigers player Kenny Malgas who’s well-taken goal in the 70th minute was enough to send their ecstatic fans in a frenzy.
Flamingoes FC was established in 1986, by brothers Tossy and Alex Strauss, who is also the coach of the team. With their promotion, they now become the third family-owned football team to campaign in the Premier League after Rebels FC from Khomasdal and Julinho Sporting from Rundu.
Since their establishment, the team campaigned in the local Rehoboth grassroots league, until 2013 when it gained promotion to the Hardap Regional League.
They won that league on their maiden appearance before being promoted to the Southern Stream First Division last year. In their first season they once again tasted success by clinching the league title with 45 points at the top of the log.
“It was not easy, but it took serious planning and commitment to be able to succeed in such a short time since we started to play organised football, and now we are looking forward to playing in the NPL,” Alex Strauss said.
