Kakuva scoops coach and team of the year

Former Chief Santos and national team star Lesley Lucky Kakuva managed to be named the U/19 coach of the year and also guided his team Sport Klub Windhoek (SKW) to second place, scooping the team of the year when the MTC HopSol Youth league came to a close recently.

Kakuva feels this was a successful season for SKW U/19, as expected, they couldn’t train as a team during some stages of the year because of exams.

It’s important to note that we didn’t have U/19 during 2022 and 2023. I am happy with our performance levels, hence the achievement of Hopsol U/19 Team of the Year. Unfortunately, we fell short 1:0 vs CBS in the final in a very tight final. Our objective was to win the league,

he said.

This season, their tactical approach was based on free-flowing football, effective possession with a perfect attacking intent. We played 1-4-2-31 as our base formations and changed to 1-4-3-3 at times.

But it’s our style of play that stood out as we had the right profile of players and could stamp our tactical authority vs most teams. Playing through the thirds was our foundation. Hence, build-up play from the back with a +1 approach, full-backs high and wide, good midfield rotations and attacking with our full-backs.

The Otjiwarongo-born coach believes he had an outstanding group of players this season, who were always willing to go the extra mile and driven by the desire to win. Their team spirit was second to none because of the winning mentality shown by the boys.

As you know, consistency is a challenge in youth football, but our boys maintained physical, technical, tactical and mental consistency throughout the season,

he explained.

Up next for his charges, some of the boys will transition to the senior football team next season. SKW boosts a youth academy with well-established structures, some of the boys will progress from U/17, some will remain with U/19 and a few will move up to senior football.

I joined SKW in 2003, from my home team Chief Santos. I won the league with Chief Santos in the 2002/3 season. Later, I was transferred to Windhoek and joined SKW. We gained promotion to the NFL during the 2004/5 season. The SKW Football Academy was established in 2007. I am convinced that we are the leading youth academy in Namibia. I was an assistant coach for the SKW Premier League team during the 2006/7 season and was coaching the U/17 at the same team.

Kakuva says it’s a special feeling to be recognised by Hopsol.

It’s more special to be recognised in this way for all the hard work, dedication and commitment for countless hours spent to improve our players. Many thanks to Hopsol, MTC and the league management. Special thanks to my coaching staff, parents and players in particular.

The former Orlando Pirates mentor misses the Namibia Premier League but feels much more comfortable being around the youthful players at the moment.

My rationale about senior football has changed with constant struggles that don’t augur well. I am over 50 now and need to make important decisions for my family. I am a holder of a CAF A-Licence and looking forward to a fruitful 2025 season, watch this space.

Kakuva said he is impressed by MTC Hopsol Youth League because it has changed the fortunes of a lot of boys in many ways since being established in 2017.

This is all we have for Youth Football. The standard of the league is of good quality. I am convinced that going forward, things can only get better and better for Hopsol for the good of Namibian Youth Football

he ended.

Strauss Lunyangwe

Photo 1: Chief in charge…Lucky Kakuva
Photo 2: Man of the moment…Lucky Kakuva won the Coach of the Year award.
Photo 3: Top Team…SKW won the Team of the Year award for 2024.
Photo 4: Hard work… SKW U/19 during the final match against CBS where they lost 1-0.
Photos: Tangi Mulundu