By Michael Uugwanga
The country’s top tier men football league has over the years been home to some of Africa’s great goalkeepers, but none of them have reached the level of FC Ongos number one ‘keeper Jonas Mateus, who made history by becoming the first goalie to record 19 cleansheets from 30 league matches in the history of the Namibia Premiership.
The previous season Mateus recorded 13 cleansheets.
Great goalkeepers such as Ronny Magnet Kanalelo, Loydt Kazapua, Arnold Subeb, Virgil Vries, Athiel Mbaha, Dax Andjamba, Marcelo Witbeen, Ephraim Tjihonge, Max Mbaeva,just a few to mentioned are regarded as top ‘keepers’ to have graced the Premiership and have all won titles and domestic cups for their former clubs.
“Personally I am so proud and honored to have achieved it, and it feels good to have your name written in the history books, but I could not have done this if it was not my teammates.
Because we have achieved this as a team, at the end of the day it is a team sport. It all comes down to hardwork, discipline,
and dedication and believe, keep on believing in what you are good at.
“The target is always do better than the last and it means I have to aim 20+.I hope it (record) will stand for many years , but I still have intention to break it and set a new one,” said Mateus.
Mateus is a sibling to another great ‘keeper in Mellissa Mateus, the number one goalkeeper for the women senior national team, nicknamed the Brave Gladiators and she is also the ‘keeper for local side Mighty Gunners Ladies, previously known as Beauties FC , who happens to be the defending champions of the FNB Women Super League.
Mateus hails from Otavi in the Otjozondjupa Region and also previously played for former Namibia Premiership side Touch and Go FC, the same team that has produced Riaan Hanamub, who plays professional football in South Africa for Betway Premiership side Amazulu.
FC Ongos are being coached by Kanalelo, with Tjihonge being the goalkeeper coach, however Mateus has taken goalkeeping inspiration from current Brave Warriors number stopper Edward Maova, who currently plays for Golden Arrows in the Betway Premiership.
Just like any player in the country, it is their dream to play abroad, be it in Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa or Europe, a dream that Mateus also dreams of.
There are unconfirmed reports that Mateus has attracted some interests from clubs in South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Besides being a footballer, he is a student at Namibian College of Open Learning (NAMCOL).
“The goalkeeper that I always look up to is (Edward) Maova, because we are so close and he always motivated me to aim high and always telling to keep clean sheets no matter what. I can’t comment on that now (rumours) because I have not received any call but if it is so they have to contact my parent club (FC Ongos). I am busy with Plumbing and pipe fitting,” said Mateus.
