Nauseb denies acquiring SA citizenship

AJAX Cape Town and Brave Warriors midfielder Robert Nauseb yesterday denied reports that he had acquired South African citizenship.

In a report published by South African football magazine, Kick Off, this week, Nauseb is said to have been granted South African citizenship. The report said the move would enable Ajax to have more foreign players in their fold.Nauseb told The Namibian Sport from Cape Town yesterday that he had no knowledge of being granted South African citizenship, adding that the reports were “not true”.He said although he had thought about applying for permanent residence in South Africa before, he had no intentions of changing his nationality to become a South African.”I thought about getting permanent residence here in the past, but never had any ideas of changing my nationality.I have since decided not to go ahead with any of these ideas,” he said.So far, former Namibian goalkeeper Ronnie Kanalelo and athlete Sherwin Vries have obtained South African passports.Kanalelo plays for Pretoria-based PSL side Mamelodi Sundowns, while Vries is a student and runs in the colours of South Africa.Nauseb, who was out with injury for more than five months, said he has been cleared by the doctor and has started training at the Sport Science Institute in Cape Town.Nauseb was out of action after he broke a bone in one of his feet.He said he will be at the Institute for at least six weeks where he will undergo physiotherapy and light training.On the renewal of his contract with Ajax for next season, Nauseb said he was still busy with negotiations with the club.”I am currently playing my cards carefully and cannot say anything now until we settle upon something with the management,” he said.Nauseb, who is among one of the long serving members fro the Namibia’s national team, also had stints with Kaizer Chiefs and Hellenic in South Africa.Nauseb said he had hope in the young players drafted in the current Brave Warriors squad.”I think if they keep working hard they will achieve a lot.Some of the players are still young and it is important for them to stay disciplined and concentrate on restoring the lost pride of the game in the country,” he said.The report said the move would enable Ajax to have more foreign players in their fold.Nauseb told The Namibian Sport from Cape Town yesterday that he had no knowledge of being granted South African citizenship, adding that the reports were “not true”.He said although he had thought about applying for permanent residence in South Africa before, he had no intentions of changing his nationality to become a South African.”I thought about getting permanent residence here in the past, but never had any ideas of changing my nationality.I have since decided not to go ahead with any of these ideas,” he said.So far, former Namibian goalkeeper Ronnie Kanalelo and athlete Sherwin Vries have obtained South African passports.Kanalelo plays for Pretoria-based PSL side Mamelodi Sundowns, while Vries is a student and runs in the colours of South Africa.Nauseb, who was out with injury for more than five months, said he has been cleared by the doctor and has started training at the Sport Science Institute in Cape Town.Nauseb was out of action after he broke a bone in one of his feet.He said he will be at the Institute for at least six weeks where he will undergo physiotherapy and light training.On the renewal of his contract with Ajax for next season, Nauseb said he was still busy with negotiations with the club.”I am currently playing my cards carefully and cannot say anything now until we settle upon something with the management,” he said.Nauseb, who is among one of the long serving members fro the Namibia’s national team, also had stints with Kaizer Chiefs and Hellenic in South Africa.Nauseb said he had hope in the young players drafted in the current Brave Warriors squad.”I think if they keep working hard they will achieve a lot.Some of the players are still young and it is important for them to stay disciplined and concentrate on restoring the lost pride of the game in the country,” he said.