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<\/p>\nNamibian forward Joslin Kamatuka has opened up about his journey from a lengthy injury layoff to the Nedbank Cup final with Durban City FC, where they will face TS Galaxy on 2 May.<\/p>\n
The 34-year-old winger is set to feature in his first-ever major cup final and is now confident of lifting the trophy after regaining full fitness.<\/p>\n
Kamatuka\u2019s road to the final has not been smooth. Having missed the earlier round of 32 against Chippa United due to an injury, he only returned to action in the round of 16 against Upington City and the quarter-finals against Golden Arrows, both high-pressure knockout matches that demanded immediate impact.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was difficult for me because I lacked match fitness, and the tempo of the game was already high,\u201d he says. \u201cPlus, it was in Upington at 43 degrees. But I was eager to get back on the pitch after being out for nearly four months.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kamatuka reveals that his absence was due to a persistent hamstring injury that worsened over time, forcing him to step away from the game to properly recover.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had been playing with a strained hamstring since last season, and it just got worse because I never gave myself time to heal properly,\u201d he explains. \u201cAfter a concussion incident in December, I told the chairman I couldn\u2019t continue forcing myself anymore because I wasn\u2019t running the way I used to.\u201d<\/p>\n
He adds: \u201cI went into rehabilitation from December. It was extremely frustrating and difficult for me to even be at training, not to mention attending home matches. I had to make peace with myself, with my body, mentally as well, and just focus on rehab.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite the setback, Kamatuka credits his family and close friends for helping him stay grounded during the tough period.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe support from my parents and my daughter kept me going. Also, fellow Namibians like Elmo Kambindu, Riaan !Hanamub and Edward Maova, who are based here, were really good for me. We stood by each other. At the time Elmo was also going through the same process, so we had each other. I\u2019m grateful for them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Durban City\u2019s cup run has been dramatic, with three consecutive knockout rounds decided via penalty shootouts \u2013 moments Kamatuka admits tested the team\u2019s nerves.<\/p>\n
\u201cPenalties are always nerve-wracking,\u201d he says. \u201cBut our goalkeeper is very good at it, so we always felt we had a better chance because he would save at least two penalties.\u201d<\/p>\n
He highlights the quarter-final clash against Golden Arrows as the most intense encounter.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d say the most stressful one was Golden Arrows because it\u2019s a KZN derby. It\u2019s all about bragging rights. We also had a red card during extra time, so we were down a man. That made it even tougher.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now fully fit again, Kamatuka says he is ready for the big occasion.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have fully recovered now and I\u2019m myself again. I\u2019m preparing well for the final.\u201d<\/p>\n
Looking ahead to the showdown against TS Galaxy, Kamatuka expects a fierce contest despite Durban City having beaten them twice in the league this season.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey will come for revenge. We knocked them out of the Nedbank Cup last season and beat them home and away this season, so they\u2019ll come guns blazing,\u201d he says. \u201cFor me, the key is always desire \u2013 who wants it more. It\u2019s a final, but at the end of the day, it\u2019s just another game.\u201d<\/p>\n
The winger admits that recent league results have slightly affected the mood at camp, but he remains confident the team will rise to the occasion.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe mood hasn\u2019t been the best because of our results in the past three league games. But we\u2019re looking to get back to winning ways before the final. We\u2019re working hard, and I know we\u2019ll get through this slump,\u201d he says. \u201cI know I\u2019m going to have a gold medal this season \u2013 that\u2019s a fact.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kamatuka also shared his personal approach to handling big-match pressure, drawing inspiration from Namibia\u2019s 2015 Cosafa Cup triumph.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we won the Cosafa Cup in 2015, I was very nervous, but coach Ricardo Mannetti kept saying, \u2018it\u2019s just another game\u2019 over and over again. That stuck with me forever,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t see big or small games. The occasion might be big, but it\u2019s still the same game. I stay calm, relax and enjoy it.\u201d<\/p>\n
His pre-match routine reflects that mindset.<\/p>\n
\u201cI pray, I call my daughter on the way to the stadium, then I switch my phone to flight mode and listen to music until we arrive. That\u2019s how I stay focused.\u201d<\/p>\n
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