Exclusive: Hartley Tiyebulyo Opens Up on Black Hawks FC’s Ambitions, Challenges and Future
After guiding Black Hawks FC to another competitive campaign, head coach Hartley Tiyebulyo says the club remains focused on nurturing local talent and establishing itself as a serious contender for promotion in the Namibia Football First Division.
In an exclusive interview with The Updated World, the experienced coach reflected on his football journey, the club’s achievements, recruitment plans, and the role Black Hawks FC continues to play in the Zambezi Region.
Q: Tell us about yourself and your coaching journey
Coach Hartley Tiyebulyo: I am the head coach of Black Hawks FC. I hold an introductory football coaching qualification and have spent several years working in football development across the Zambezi Region. Over time, I have gained valuable experience through coaching, continuous learning, and working with young players. My coaching philosophy focuses on discipline, teamwork, professionalism, and helping players grow both on and off the pitch.
Q: How did your involvement in football begin?
Football has been part of my life from a young age. I started as a player and a passionate supporter of the game. Playing in community competitions strengthened my love for football and eventually inspired me to move into coaching, where I could contribute to developing the next generation of players.
Q: What motivated you to pursue football as a career?
My passion for football and the desire to mentor young people were the biggest motivating factors. I saw the potential that exists within our communities and wanted to help talented players achieve their goals while positively influencing their lives.
Q: How did you become head coach of Black Hawks FC?
My appointment came after years of involvement and dedication to the club. Through consistent work and a shared vision for the future, the club leadership entrusted me with the responsibility of leading the team and helping build a sustainable future.
Q: What does coaching Black Hawks FC mean to you?
It is both an honour and a responsibility. Black Hawks FC is an important club in the Zambezi football community, and leading the team allows me to contribute to player development while representing the region with pride.
Q: What is the club’s highest achievement in the First Division?
One of our proudest moments was finishing second in the First Division during the season when Eeshoke Chula Chula earned promotion. It demonstrated that we are capable of competing with the best teams in the league.
Q: How would you describe the club’s growth over the years?
The club has made significant progress. We have become more competitive, improved our structures, and continued producing talented players from the region. Every season, we focus on building a stronger foundation for future success.
Q: Black Hawks FC finished third last season. How do you rate that performance?
Finishing third was a positive achievement and showed how much progress we have made. However, we also believe we could have achieved more. That result has motivated us to work even harder and aim higher this season.
Q: What challenges did the team face during the campaign?
We faced several difficulties, including financial limitations, long travel distances, injuries, and player availability issues. These challenges tested the squad throughout the season.
Q: How did those challenges impact the team?
Such difficulties can affect consistency and preparation, but I was impressed by how the players responded. Their resilience and commitment helped us remain competitive and secure a top-three finish despite the obstacles.
Q: Which moment from last season stands out the most?
Our away victory over KK United remains one of the most memorable moments. The match was played in very difficult weather conditions with heavy rain. Despite conceding an equaliser after taking the lead, the team showed tremendous character to score the winning goal. It perfectly reflected the fighting spirit of Black Hawks FC.
Q: How are you approaching player recruitment for the new season?
We scout players through local leagues, tournaments, training sessions, and recommendations from fellow coaches. We are always looking for players who can improve the team while embracing the club’s values and ambitions.
Q: What qualities do you look for when signing players?
Technical ability is important, but we also place great value on discipline, professionalism, commitment, character, work ethic, and a willingness to learn. We want players who can contribute both individually and collectively.
Q: How important is local talent development to Black Hawks FC?
It is central to our vision. The Zambezi Region has many talented footballers, and we want to provide opportunities for them to develop and showcase their abilities. Supporting local talent remains one of our key priorities.
Q: Are there areas of the squad you want to strengthen?
Yes. We are particularly focused on strengthening our goalkeeping and defensive departments. With the possibility of experienced centre-back Shappy retiring, we need to ensure we maintain quality and depth in those positions.
Q: Have other clubs shown interest in your players?
Yes, several of our players have attracted attention from other clubs. This reflects the quality within our squad. Whenever interest arises, we carefully evaluate the situation to ensure the best outcome for both the player and the club.
Q: How do you balance keeping key players while supporting their ambitions?
We want our players to achieve their dreams and progress in their careers. At the same time, we must protect the interests of the club. Through honest communication and mutual respect, we work towards solutions that benefit everyone involved.
Q: What are your expectations for the upcoming season?
We want to build on the progress we achieved last season, improve our performances, and consistently compete at the top end of the table. Our goal is to establish ourselves as genuine promotion contenders.
Q: What are the club’s main objectives?
We want to finish higher in the standings, continue developing local talent, maintain consistency throughout the campaign, and seriously challenge for promotion. These objectives reflect our ambition to take Black Hawks FC to the next level.
Q: What message do you have for Black Hawks FC supporters?
I would like to thank our supporters for their loyalty and encouragement. Their support motivates the players and technical team to give everything on the field.
Football has the power to unite communities, and I believe the Zambezi Region should continue working together and supporting one another. Black Hawks FC belongs to the entire region, and together we can build a stronger football culture.
We have already seen players such as Kalaluka Kulumbekwa, Nalumino Musweu, and Sikaki Nzamene progress to Julinho Sporting FC, while Muyeka advanced from our grassroots system to become a Premier League player with Mighty Gunners.
These success stories show that Black Hawks FC is more than just a football club. It is a platform that creates opportunities, develops talent, and helps young people pursue their dreams. We encourage our supporters to continue standing with us as we strive for even greater achievements
