Former Namibian wingback Robert Nauseb has revealed how Kaizer Chiefs transformed his life by signing him from amateur football to the riches of the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
Nauseb, who was working in a warehouse in Namibia earning N2500 (R2500) at the time, joined Chiefs ahead of the 1998/99 season alongside fellow countryman Mohammed Ouseb. He remained with the club for three years before leaving for Hellenic.
Speaking to KickOff, Nauseb shared that football in Namibia was still amateur at that time, and he was not earning a salary from playing the sport. Instead, he worked at a company called Cymot Midas in Namibia, where he was responsible for dispatching car parts from the warehouse. His earnings were only supplemented if Civics FC won a trophy or the league.
Even when Nauseb was invited to train with Chiefs for a week before signing, he had to take unpaid leave from his job. He was not sure if the club would sign him, and he did not want to risk jeopardizing his job by attending trials that were not guaranteed. However, the sacrifice paid off, and he was able to become a professional footballer.
"Coming to Chiefs was difficult because I jumped straight from being an amateur to professional football and training in the morning which was difficult for me," Nauseb shared. "Luckily, I had been in the national team, and guys close to me like Ronnie (Kanalelo) and Ricardo (Mannetti) helped me with regards to life as a professional footballer."
Nauseb's story is a testament to the transformative power of sport and the opportunities it can provide to talented individuals from humble backgrounds. The journey from an amateur footballer to a professional in one of the most prestigious leagues on the African continent is not an easy one, but Nauseb's determination and hard work paid off. His story serves as an inspiration to many aspiring footballers across the continent.
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