Goalkeeping is a specialized role that demands exceptional timing, anticipation, agility, ball-handling abilities, and above all else, courage.

This is how ex-Black Africa, Orlando Pirates, SKW FC, and Brave Warriors keeper Herman 'Harry' Januarie characterizes the qualities of a goalkeeper.

Being a goalkeeper certainly isn’t for those with weak hearts. ... Agility is crucial, but so is bravery—being unafraid to leave your area to stop crosses.

He states, 'You must be prepared for every possibility and be fully alert, operating at 120%. '

January is among several players who were spotted by the renowned Romanian coach Ted Dumitru. Between 1985 and 2005, Dumitru guided top South African clubs like Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns to significant victories in both leagues and cups.

Between 2000 and 2001, Dumitru led the Namibian national team. In 2000, I was simultaneously part of the national under-23 squad and the Brave Warriors training camp.

When he saw me, Januarie explains, two teams had played a friendly match to get ready for their impending international engagements.

It seems I performed quite well, as Dumitru, who oversaw the development structure of our football back then, informed the leadership of the Namibia Football Association (NFA) that I possessed great potential and ought to begin training with the main squad.

The player from Walvis began their organized football journey with the under-15 squad at Kuisebmond Secondary School.

"I had only played street football prior to joining De Duine after graduating from Immanuel Ruiter Primary School, where we didn’t have a soccer field. Playing as an infielder was something I really liked back then, and I also excelled as a forward during our church league matches," he explains.

Nevertheless, besides competing in the 100 meters and 200 meters races, and even though I had fun with the long jump, my true passion has always been football. At Kuisebmond Secondary School, where I played as a goalkeeper, I was recruited by Eleven Arrows to be part of their youth squad called Young Arrows.

Interestingly, Januarie achieved his major breakthrough into the Namibian Premier League with Black Africa rather than Eleven Arrows.

When he was with the previous Premier League team Life Fighters, the tall goalkeeper caught the attention of Black Africa (BA) during Coach David 'Fellah' Snewe’s tenure—one of the most legendary players to have worn BA’s jersey.

In January, Januarie fractured his foot during his debut match for the Lively Lions against Oshakati City and consequently remained sidelined for nearly an entire year.

Following this, he became part of the Dynamos team based in Grootfontein, where he claimed victory in multiple smaller contests within the top league.

Nothing compares to winning the Windhoek Lager NFA Cup with Orlando Pirates in a thrilling final match against Tigers in Rundu back in 2001.

Entering the encounter as underdogs with nobody giving us much of a shot against the Tigers was truly delightful. Yet, those who attended the match at Rundu Stadium witnessed us upsetting the favorites with a score of 2-1.

He left Pirates to play for Oshakati during the 2004/5 season, then returned to Pirates briefly before moving to SKW soon after.

In the meantime, Januarie, despite not playing a single game for Namibia, remained Danzyl Bruwer's understudy with the Brave Warriors.

Although he hasn’t played in a Brave Warriors shirt yet, the diligent goalkeeper is thankful now for being trusted by the national technical committee. They acknowledged his talent by frequently summoning him.

"As I've worked with numerous coaches at the national team level, my performance has improved significantly," Januarie states.

I've developed not only as an athlete but also as an individual to such an extent that I chose to take up coaching goalkeepers even when I was still active with SKW under Coach Lucky Kakuva.

In January, Januarie became so engrossed in coaching that he acquired a Goalkeeper Coach C license.

WORK, FAMILY

In 2010, he tied the knot with his longtime partner Rosa, and together they have four kids.

I participated in NFA coaching and fitness training.

I have completed various courses, and I am delighted to announce that I am now a certified goalkeeper coach, making my living through coaching goalkeepers. I have been part of the NFA technical team for more than ten years,” Januarie states.

I can confidently state that I served as the goalkeeper coach during Namibia’s sole COSAFA Cup victory under Coach Ricardo Mannetti. Additionally, I remained involved with the national team following Bobby Samaria’s tenure as head coach; however, I was not kept on board by the present coach, Collin Benjamin.

The present goalkeeper trainer at Unam FC within the Namibian Football Premier League previously worked with the Tigers' goalkeepers when Coach Samaria was in charge. This individual has also mentored former national team custodians such as Ephraim Tjihonge, Maximilian Mbaeva, Virgil Vries, Charles Uirab, Edward Maova, and Lloyd Kazapua before they moved on.

In January, Januarie runs the AJ Amazing Tree Goalkeeping Academy at the Multi-Purpose Youth Complex in Katutura. Here, he fosters potential Brave Warriors talents every Monday and Tuesday. Additionally, he trains goalkeepers associated with various clubs on Thursdays.

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