The Mukoya siblings to rival on touchline
By Michael Uugwanga
IT will be one of the most exciting meetings next seasons in the top-flight men’s football league when Cuca Tops FC coach Gondolf Mukoya will be up against his elder brother Augustinus ‘Axaro’ Mukoya, the co-head coach at Namibia Correctional Service (NCS) FC on the touchline. Both clubs (Cuca Tops of Rundu and NCS from Mariental) got promoted to next season’s premiership, with Cuca Tops winning the North West First Division, while NCS won the Southern Stream First Division. This week, Confidente caught up with the two coaches as they shared their moment in the just-ended football league, their much-awaited rivalry on the touchline and their team’s chances next season. Before the two coaches hung up their boots, they played together at Cuca Tops and the U-20 national team, while Augustinus went on to play for the Brave Warriors. Still, Gondolf was more of a trainee at the national level as he did not make it like his elder brother.
Augustinus, after Cuca Tops, went on to play for Chief Santos in Tsumeb when the team was in then the MTC/Namibia Premier League (NPL), which is today the Debmarine Premiership. Gondolf knows very well the pressure that the Cuca Tops coach comes with, especially the demand from its supporters, not only in Rundu but across the country, with Cuca Tops being one of the oldest clubs in the country and has a lot of following countrywide. This is also the third time Cuca Tops will play in top-flight football after many years of absence. It will be exciting to see the type of reception Augustinus will receive from Cuca Tops Supporters once the two teams meet at the Rundu Sport Stadium next season.
“It is a great feeling to get promoted to the top league. Cuca Tops is one of the country’s oldest clubs, and as a result, it is in the Debmarine Premiership. Gaining promotion to the top league will help the club in terms of revenue and allow supporters to return to football.\ We (him and Augustinus) grew up in the same house and have played together since we were very young. The match between Cuca Tops vs NCS will be expected to be a perfect game because we both like attacking football. The home team will always have the upper hand. He (Augustinus) congratulated me for winning the league. We want to bring in some players to strengthen the squad and mix young players with experienced ones.
We aim to survive in the league,” said Gondolf. Augustinus played for Cuca Tops from 1992 to 1998 before joining Santos, and during the years that Cuca Tops played in the premier league, he was at Santos.
Augustinus joined the NCS coaching staff last year. “I am very happy for what my brother has done at Cuca Tops, as I have never doubted his coaching ability. Remember that he has been with Cuca Tops for a long time and knows the team well. “In 1994 or 1995, when I was with Cuca Tops, we lost out in the playoffs for the premier league promotion. Once the two teams (NCS vs Cuca Tops) win, I think the best team will win the match, but NCS will win, that is for sure.
“I am currently a co-coach with Tomo and an assistant coach, Mureko. My best moment with Cuca Tops was winning a tournament in Otjiwarongo when we were 2-0 down against Benfica before I was introduced as a super sub, scored a brace (two goals), and won on penalties. Our target is to remain in the league for another season. My advice to my brother is for him to stay grounded, disciplined and work harder as always,” said Augustinus.