Gifted with perfect timing and a strong tackle, Kaunozondunge is a prime example of a player who converted with aplomb from the midfield to central defence. “I always played as a midfielder, right from my primary school days at Döbra and St Andrews Primary School, where I played with Frank Fredericks, who went to become a star striker with Black Africa before he hit the headlines as one of the world’s top sprinters,” says the Windhoek-born Kaunozondunge. “I did the sprints at primary school and continued in my first two years at Ella du Plessis, but my love for football took over.
Me converting to defence was only by chance after our regular sweeper, Fillah van Wyk, moved to the coast.” Kaunozondunge and Fredericks, who both hail from the same area of Katutura, alongside Tiwii Kaundje and Totii Hanavi (who both later became prominent players with Tigers), grew up playing for their local team, the Red Devils. Kaunozondunge’s mother played netball for African Stars and his dad is an ardent fan of the club, while he is a true loyalist who only played for Civics throughout his football career.
“I joined Civics in 1984, exactly one year after their formation in 1983, and I never looked back. I went on to wear the maroon and white jersey of the Bethlehem Boys for 18 good years. I must admit they were very beautiful years indeed,” he says.
“The reason that made my stay at Civics more pleasant and enjoyable is the fact I played there with my schoolmates at Ella du.