Musambani lost interest in football
By Michael Uugwanga
NOT LONG ago, Nicky Musambani was the country’s hottest striker in the 2014/2015 MTC/Namibia Premier League (NPL), a season he finished as top goal scorer with 17 goals for boyhood club Orlando Pirates.
In total, Musambani scored 24 goals in all competitions, including seven in the Namibia Football Association (NFA) Cup, when he led his Pirates side to the final, which they narrowly lost on penalties to Tigers that same season.
His goal tally saw him signed up by Botswana club Gaborone United football club for the 2015/2016 soccer season, but his move to Gaborone United was cut short due to that country’s football rules that only three foreign players may be registered per club, and Gaborone United already had three foreign players at the time.
At 29, Musambani has seemingly lost interest in football that previously helped him put bread on the table and is now enrolled at the Namibian College of Open Learning (NAMCOL) majoring in Welding.
Last year up until early this year, Musambani worked as a shuttle driver between Windhoek and Omaruru before he decided to take up his studies.
In conversation with Confidente Sport this week, the soft-spoken Musambani, who hails from Omaruru said he has lost interest in football due to lack of money in Namibian football, but has not totally shut the door to the prospect of one day returning to football.
“I just decided to stay away from football because there is no money in football. Yes, I was driving my own car because I wanted to make money. I am not sure if I will return to football because currently I am just focusing on my studies, but who knows maybe I might get an offer from another club. But we all know that there is no football happening so far. I am studying welding at NAMCOL,” said Musambani.
After his move to Botswana did not materialise due to the quota system in that country, African Stars in the NPL called Musambani, but his move to Stars turned out to be a nightmare because of injuries that resulted in him enjoying limited game time until he was eventually released and re-joined Pirates for the 2017/2018 season.
“It is always difficult for a foreigner to go to Botswana because their rules are restrictive. Three foreign players are required to be registered per club. Gaborone United wanted to loan me out to another club also in Botswana, but Stars came calling and I decided to join them because the money the club that was about to be loaned to was giving me the same money Stars were offering me. So, I decided to come back home. Besides the injuries, at Stars I really enjoyed my time there. At times things happen for a reason whenever something good does not go your way. Pirates’ is home and they really made me who I am and I have done nothing wrong there. I have been playing social football league last season.
I have been with Pirates for like five to six years,” said Musambani.