We’re back from what was truly a memorable journey to Cape Town with our U-19 team, held from 14th to 21st April 2025. This trip was not only a chance to compete, but also an opportunity for our young players to experience life beyond Namibia — to grow, to learn, and to bond as a team.
🌍 More Than Just Football
The week gave us more than just matches. From touring the city on Cape Town’s iconic red buses, to visiting Bird World, enjoying a seal tour, exploring the famous Two Oceans Aquarium, and taking in the beauty of the V&A Waterfront, our players were exposed to new cultures, sights, and ideas. These experiences were truly enriching and educational.
⚽️ On the Pitch: A Tough Lesson
While the trip had many highs, some match results didn’t turn out as planned. We drew in the first two group games (one of them against the hosts in front of a large crowd!) and showed we can keep up with the best, but unfortunately lost the last match by a fairly large margin.
Towards the end, some of our players were not fully focused, at times distracted by their phones and other issues. While we acknowledge that this is a natural part of growing up, and many are experiencing freedom and travel for the first time as young adults, we also believe this freedom must come with responsibility. That said, we want to be clear that we still saw standout performances, particularly in the early matches, and we remain confident that the talent, love for football, and potential in this group is strong.
🗣 Lessons Learned & Moving Forward
This trip has been a valuable learning experience for us as coaches, mentors, and as a club. We’ve already begun reflecting on what we can improve — not only in how we prepare for future tournaments, but also in how we guide our players off the field. We’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported us — from supporters to friends of the club — and especially to Coach Penda, whose steady presence made an impact during the tour.
🌟 Renewed Commitment
If there’s one thing the Cape Town trip made clear, it’s this: we are more committed than ever to building a brighter future for the youth of Goreangab. Riverheights FA stands for more than football — we are about discipline, opportunity, education, and empowerment. This journey may have had its challenges, but it also reminded us why we do what we do — and why we’ll continue to fight for every young person who wears the Riverheights badge. Here’s to growth, to goals, and to greater things ahead.
With love,
Riverheights Football Academy