Namibia Appoints Marcos Antunes as New Futsal Head Coach

Portuguese coach takes charge of the Brave 5 ahead of AFCON 2026 qualifiers

The Namibia Football Association (NFA) announced on Thursday that Marcos Antunes will assume the role of head coach of the Namibian national futsal team, the Brave 5. The Portuguese coach returns to active duty after leaving Angola’s national team in early 2025.

“Antunes brings extensive international experience to the Brave 5 team, having participated in two FIFA Futsal World Cups — in Lithuania in 2021 and in Uzbekistan in 2024,” the NFA said in its official statement.
“He joins the Brave 5 ahead of the CAF Futsal Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2026 qualifiers and brings UEFA coaching credentials along with a postgraduate qualification in futsal, emphasizing tactical discipline and player development.”

Marcos Antunes left the Angolan national team, the Palancas Negras, in early 2025 after five years of service, first as assistant coach and later as head coach. During his tenure, he gained recognition on the African futsal stage for his leadership and competitive approach.

(Main picture: Head Coach Marcos Antunes – source of the image: NFA)

Background: Namibia’s Futsal History and Previous Coach

Before Antunes’ appointment, Namibia’s national futsal team — the Brave 5 — was led by English coach Ryan Jago, who became the first dedicated head coach in the team’s history when the national side was established in early 2024. Under Jago’s guidance, Namibia made its first-ever international appearance in the 2024 CAF Futsal Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

Former head coach of Namibia coach Ryan Jago – source of the image: CAF

The Brave 5 debuted with a historic away win in Dar es Salaam, overcoming a 5–2 home defeat to Tanzania by winning the second leg 6–3, allowing them to progress on away goals — a remarkable achievement for a newly formed team.

At the 2024 AFCON finals in Morocco, Namibia competed against seasoned sides like Egypt, Libya, and Mauritania. They finished last in their group, registering competitive performances and highlighting their rapid growth despite limited international experience.

This progression under Jago set the stage for a new phase in the programme, with Antunes now taking the reins as Namibia aims to build on that foundational experience and become more competitive in continental futsal.

“This appointment underscores our commitment to developing futsal in Namibia and preparing a team capable of competing at the highest level in Africa,” said the NFA statement.

Antunes’ return to coaching marks a new chapter in his career on the African continent, taking on the challenge of leading Namibia’s national futsal program while nurturing young talent and enhancing the team’s tactical and competitive standards.

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