RONALD Ketjijere has had a glittering career as a football player with African Stars and the Brave Warriors, while he also played professionally for Pretoria University or ‘Amatuks,’for four seasons.
He first started playing for African Stars at the age of 20 in 2008 and soon made progress as a dynamic midfielder and natural leader.
In 2010 he made his debut for the Brave Warriors against Botswana, and the following year in only his eighth match against Malawi, he was made captain of his country. Since then he has been a constant presence in the Brave Warriors team both as caåptain and as a defensive midfielder, while he also became Namibia’s most capped player, with 74 caps to his name. Ketjijere took time out to speak to The Namibian Sport about his career.
Who was your football hero as a child?
Ronaldo the Brazilian. I liked his flair and dribbles and how he used to beat defenders with ease. At school I started out as a striker so that’s why I admired him so much.
What team do you support in the English Premier League?
Manchester United. I started supporting them during high school when they won just about everything on offer, They had some great players then like Paul Scholes, David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand. They are struggling now but I don’t have a choice and just have to support them.
Messi or Ronaldo?
Messi – he’s a pure talent and a different breed – he’s got flair, he’s fast, he’s got great technical skills and can do anything with ease. I do admire Ronaldo, though, for his professionalism and hard work, while he is a true competitor.
Who is the best player you played with?
Jamuvandu Ngatjizeko. He was a great talent and could play all over in different positions. He had a cultured left foot and could pass the ball with ease. He was a good reader of the game and I liked the way he controlled the midfield.
Who was the best player you played against?
Sadio Mane. He has a lot of pace, he is very tricky on the ball and I like the way he takes on defenders. I remember a few years ago he played for Senegal in an Afcon qualifier against Namibia here in Windhoek and scored a great goal in their 2-0 victory. He attacked from the left wing, cut inside and beat a few defenders before scoring the goal.
Who was the best coach you played under?
Bobby Samaria at club level and Ricardo Mannetti at national level. Bobby is a very tactical guy and I learnt a lot from him about playing in structures. Ricardo brought more discipline to my game. I played a more defensive role for the Brave Warriors, so I had to stay back and make sure that the gap between the defence and the midfield was covered. Ricardo taught me a lot about being patient, which you need as a holding midfielder.
What was the highlight of your career?
I have a couple: Winning the double with African Stars in my debut season; captaining the national team; winning the first ever trophy for the national team, the 2015 Cosafa Cup: and qualifying the national team for the Afcon final in 2019.
What was the low point of your career?
When Amatuks got relegated and having failed to pick up a single point at Afcon 2019, when we had so many chances of winning or at least picking up a point.
Name an up and coming Namibian player to look out for.
Ivan Kamberipa. He is a disciplined player, he has a good work rate and he has the necessary aggression for a defender. He gave some very good performances for African Stars during our CAF Champions League campaign and if he remains disciplined he will go places.
Name your best Brave Warriors squad.
Lloydt Kazapua, Larry Horaeb, Denzil Haoseb, Chris Katjiukua, Riaan !Hanamub, Jamu Ngatjizeko, Ronald Ketjijere, Petrus Shitembi, Hendrik Somaeb, Deon Hotto and Peter Shalulile.
Substitutes: Max Mbaeva, Willem Mwedihanga, Quinton Jacobs, Wangu Gome, Willy Stephanus, Henrico Botes, Benson Shilongo.
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