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Newly-appointed Rundu Chiefs head coach Wacko Marcello Wakudumo says it is a great honour to lead one of Kavango’s biggest football brands as the club returns to top-flight football this season. Speaking to DesertFM Sports, Wakudumo described his appointment as a deeply personal milestone, given his family’s long-standing connection with the team. “It’s an honour to have been given the opportunity to lead one of the biggest teams in Kavango East, if not the biggest,” he said. “Growing up, I watched my father and uncles represent this club, so to now guide it in the Premier League is truly special.” The appointment came shortly after confusion on social media, where reports suggested Wakudumo had joined Rundu Chiefs’ fierce rivals, Cuca Tops. The coach clarified that, while he had initially engaged with Cuca Tops and even finalised a contract, he decided to step away after internal management changes created uncertainty. “I didn’t leave Cuca Tops for Rundu Chiefs,” Wakudumo explained. “I left because there was no clarity within the club’s leadership. The chairperson and key members who brought me in had resigned, and I felt it was best to step aside.” Wakudumo, who holds a CAF B coaching licence, brings extensive experience from youth and senior levels, having previously coached UNAM FC, Civics, Young Africans, and Citizens FC, among others. He believes those experiences will guide his approach in shaping Rundu Chiefs’ identity in the Premier League. “We always learn from our past,” he said. “The lessons I picked up at clubs like UNAM and Civics will help me improve player management, technical organisation, and the relationship between supporters and management.” Wakudumo’s immediate focus is to make Chiefs competitive in their debut top-flight campaign. “We don’t want to be participants; we want to be competitors,” he stated. “Our goal is to finish in the top four or top five. We have experienced players who have represented the national team, and we believe we can go far.” As Rundu Chiefs prepare to face Khomas Nampol in their opening Premier League fixture, Wakudumo has called on fans to rally behind the team both home and away. “Let’s fill the stadiums and bring back the glory days,” he urged. “With their support, we’ll play an exciting, attacking brand of football that makes them proud.”
