US based Kandetu speaks on U23 snubbing

By Michael Uugwanga

NGAZIKUE Kandetu, who was one of the star players for the U-20 at the Under-20 Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Cup, and now is in the USA studying and playing soccer at the same time, said that he had no ideawhy he was not called up for the U23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers in September

Namibia played against Angola in the two legs qualifiers, losing 2-1 in the first leg before succumbing to a heavy 6-0 defeat in the second leg.

Kandetu is in Lufkin, Texas studyingcriminal Justice and Law in Lufkin, at Angelina College and also plays college soccer in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) conference for Roadrunners FC.

Kandetu (21), who plays as a centre-back, was one of the country’s star performers at the 2020 COSAFA Cup in South Africa, which Namibia lost 1-0 to Mozambique in the final, which also saw the U-20 team qualifying to its first U-20 AFCON in Mauritania last year.

He last played club football in Namibia for Young African FC in the Namibia Premier Football League last year.

Speaking to Confidente this week, the no nonsense defender who also played for Namib Eagles in the second division during his high school years said his move to the States came after he was spotted playing at the COSAFA Cup.

He is also enjoying life in the United States and says he is learning new tricks everyday as a footballer.

“I did not get a call- up to represent the country in the qualifiers and honestly speaking, I respect the coaches’ decisionas they know better even if we might think they made mistakes.

The fact still remains that whatever decisions they take I have to respect it.

“Life is obviously more advanced on this side of the world, but it’s adaptable.

There is a big difference from the way we do things back home compared to here in the states. As a young footballer who is trying to grow in the game, I will always be ready when I get big opportunities like this. It is not only the call-up that matters but it is whatyou learn during this epic time,” Kandetu said.

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