Namibian national team head coach Collin Benjamin has praised Orlando Pirates playmaker Deon Hotto for his exceptional dedication and work ethic, describing him as a true patriot and an inspirational figure.
Hotto has played a crucial role in the success of the Brave Warriors, notably contributing to the team’s qualification for the previous edition of the Africa Cup of Nations as well as their strong performance in the ongoing 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Currently, Namibia sits in second place in their qualifying group, with an impressive 12 points from six matches and trail group heavyweights and leaders Tunisia by four points, with the North Africans having accumulated 16 points.
After his team’s 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea in Polokwane, Benjamin spoke to the media about Hotto’s remarkable influence on the squad. He shared how easy it is to work with the 34-year-old and highlighted how beneficial Hotto’s versatility has been for the team in various positions on the field.
“Do you know that I don’t coach Deon?” Benjamin remarked to the media, expressing just how much Hotto’s natural ability and leadership contribute to the squad’s success.
“I can’t tell Deon how to shoot goals or how to cross. We give Deon a structure within the team, we give him the positions that we need to get in.
“And the intelligence and the experience that he brings, he finds his players and he breaks lines. I can play Deon on the left wing-back, play him at left-back at the right midfield, I can play him between the 10, he never complains.
“And the attitude of these guys and the patriotism that they show towards their country is just second to none.
“And we as Namibia are just really happy to have them, they are an inspiration, not only to their families, they are an inspiration to young and up-coming kids coming in and wishing all the best and he should stay healthy and score goals.”
At the age of thirty-four, Hotto’s versatility and professionalism have shone in recent years, making him an invaluable asset to both the Brave Warriors and Orlando Pirates, who remain firmly in the hunt for the Betway Premiership, Nedbank Cup and CAF Champions League.