KK United to retain promotion-winning core as they prepare for maiden NPFL season
KK United to keep promotion-winning core and add experienced recruits for their maiden Namibian Premier Football League season, with coaching appointments confirmed.
KK United said it will keep the nucleus of the team that earned historic promotion while adding a handful of experienced players as it prepares for its first season in the Namibian Premier Football League. The newly promoted club’s general manager, Issai Saidi, told Desert Radio that preparations began immediately after the North East First Division campaign concluded. The decision to prioritise continuity reflects the club’s belief in the young squad that carried Kavango West into the country’s top tier.
KK United pledge squad continuity for NPFL debut
Saidi emphasized that the club will retain the core group that secured promotion, citing belief in the players’ development and chemistry. He said the plan is to supplement that core with a limited number of experienced recruits to shore up specific positions rather than undertake wholesale change. That approach, Saidi added, is intended to preserve the momentum and club identity that powered KK United’s rise.
The club’s strategy follows a rapid transition from celebration to preparation, with staff and players moving quickly into planning for a higher level of competition. The emphasis on keeping the promotion-winning group signals confidence in homegrown talent and in the coaching staff’s ability to refine and elevate the current squad. Supporters are being asked to be patient while the club finalises signings that will add leadership and match-day experience.
Coaching structure confirmed with Wakudumo and Gariseb in place
KK United confirmed that Marcelo Wakudumo will serve as head coach and that former Okahandja United coach Richard Gariseb has been appointed assistant coach on Wakudumo’s recommendation. Saidi described Gariseb as a specialist in youth development whose philosophy complements KK United’s young roster. The pair, the club said, will lead tactical preparation and player development ahead of the NPFL season.
Saidi made clear the club is not searching for a head coach, underlining that the coaching positions have been settled for the upcoming campaign. He praised Gariseb’s track record in working with young players and said the assistant coach arrived in Nkurenkuru and immediately began on-field sessions with the squad. The new technical team will focus on building a playing style suited to the squad’s strengths while preparing for the physical and tactical step up the NPFL demands.
Preseason schedule and training adjustments
Formal training started this week when coaching staff convened players in Nkurenkuru, with on-field work planned to intensify as the squad moves toward the new season. Saidi noted, however, that the club has paused sessions briefly to mourn the passing of a member of the KK United family, and training will resume next week. When sessions restart, both returning players and new signings are expected to report for medicals, fitness testing, and tactical drills.
The club intends to structure its preseason around match fitness, tactical cohesion and set-piece work, reflecting the demands of Namibia’s top flight. Coaches will also arrange a series of friendly matches to test tactical variations and to give fringe players an opportunity to stake a claim for the matchday squad. Those fixtures will be used to assess how well the promotion-winning core adapts to the additions and to the higher tempo expected in the NPFL.
Transfer policy: measured additions to add experience
On transfers, Saidi reiterated the club’s intention to keep the squad’s nucleus while bringing in selected experienced players to balance youth and leadership. He said the club is scouting targets who can immediately improve key areas but insisted supporters wait for official announcements on the club’s social channels. The aim, Saidi explained, is to find players who can guide younger team-mates through the rigours of top-flight competition without disrupting the group dynamic.
KK United’s recruitment will prioritise players who can contribute both on the pitch and in the dressing room, with a focus on positions where experience brings tactical stability. The club will also monitor fitness histories and versatility when considering recruits, and will pursue additions that match the coaching staff’s tactical blueprint. Financial prudence remains a guiding principle, as the club balances ambition with the realities of operating in Namibia’s premier division.
Regional pride and supporter expectations rise
KK United’s promotion marked the first time a team from Kavango West reached the Namibian Premier Football League, a milestone that has raised expectations across the region. Saidi acknowledged the pressure that comes with carrying the hopes of an entire community, pointing out that supporters travel long distances to watch the team play. He appealed to the region to rally behind the club and to embrace a spirit of unity, describing the achievement as the product of broad-based community support.
The club sees the fans as a competitive asset and is working to strengthen outreach and matchday engagement so that home fixtures in Nkurenkuru become real advantages. Saidi called on local clubs, businesses and civic leaders to support KK United’s first NPFL season, arguing that success on the pitch can have ripple effects for the region. The expectation is that sustained backing will motivate players and help establish the club as a stable presence in the top tier.
Infrastructure hopes and long-term development goals
Beyond immediate sporting priorities, KK United is using promotion as leverage to press for improved football infrastructure in Kavango West, notably the construction of a modern stadium. Saidi expressed hope that the club’s presence in the NPFL would strengthen the case for government and private investment in facilities. He said better infrastructure would benefit not only KK United but also grassroots football in the region and the wider local economy.
Officials at the club have begun conversations with regional authorities and potential partners about phased upgrades and funding models for a stadium project. KK United views improved facilities as essential for training, player welfare and spectator safety, and believes a new venue would help attract higher-calibre opposition and commercial opportunities. The club is also planning longer-term development programs focused on youth coaching, talent identification, and community outreach.
KK United’s leadership understands that sporting progress must be matched by institutional growth if the club is to remain competitive in the NPFL. Plans that Saidi outlined include strengthening administrative capacity, seeking sponsorships, and enhancing scouting networks to ensure a sustainable talent pipeline. The club also intends to invest in medical and performance staff to reduce injury risk and to improve recovery standards.
Preparation for the season will test KK United’s ability to balance ambition with pragmatism, and to translate regional enthusiasm into consistent performances on the pitch. Saidi’s message to supporters was clear: maintain belief, be patient as the club completes measured signings, and continue to support the team through the challenges of a debut NPFL campaign. The club enters the top flight with momentum, a young squad that has already made history, and a coaching team tasked with turning regional pride into competitive results.
