What began as a few boys playing football on a village field in Mukekete has grown into a grassroots initiative giving young people in Kavango West hope, purpose, and the courage to dream beyond their surroundings.
At the Mukekete Village grounds in the Tondoro Constituency, Leo United Football Club trains regularly, shaping young talent and keeping youth positively engaged.
The club was established in 2022 after Head Coach Stefanus Nambara noticed the abundance of untapped talent in the village, where many players had previously represented the region at the Newspaper Cup but lacked sponsorship and proper structure.
Motivated by this, Nambara brought the players together, began structured training, and enrolled them in development programmes with the aim of helping them grow into disciplined footballers who could one day represent Namibia.
Although the club initially targeted players aged 13 and above, its constitution allows younger players to register if they show interest and discipline. As a result, children under 13 now train alongside older players.
One girl is also part of the training group, due to the absence of a girls’ football team in the village. Parents have welcomed the initiative, expressing happiness at seeing their children involved in sport from an early age, with some even approaching the coach to enroll their daughters because of their love for football.
Today, Leo United Football Club has more than 50 players across different age groups, including a senior team with no age limit that competes in tournaments and other competitions.
In 2023, the club registered with the Kavango West Regional Football Association, a major milestone in its development. Despite limited resources and often competing without full kits, the team has delivered impressive performances.
In one tournament, Leo United faced Second Division teams and surprised many by defeating one in the quarterfinals, despite having a 15-year-old goalkeeper and being underestimated by opponents.
The team went on to reach the semifinals, where they narrowly lost by one goal to a First Division side, an achievement that highlighted the potential of grassroots football in the region.
Despite these successes, the club continues to face significant challenges. Coach Nambara funds most of the team’s needs from his own pocket, covering expenses ranging from equipment to basic operational costs.
While the community occasionally offers small contributions, they are not enough to sustain the club. He has therefore appealed to anyone willing to assist with football equipment such as balls, boots, cones, or any other form of support.
For the players, Leo United FC offers more than football; it helps young people stay out of trouble, develop their talents, and grow as individuals.
They describe their coach as a parental figure who supports them beyond the pitch, even helping younger players obtain identification documents. Inspired by Namibian footballers at national and international levels, the players dream of taking their talents beyond Kavango West.
Members of the public who wish to support the initiative can contact Coach Stefanus Nambara on 081 6515 939.