Sadney Urikhob: Namibian journeyman joins 20th club and says Zimbabwe pays better than South Africa

Namibian forward Sadney Urikhob has completed yet another move in his remarkably nomadic career, joining struggling Zimbabwe Premier League side Triangle FC – and insists his earnings in Zimbabwe have surpassed what he made in South Africa’s top flight.

The 34-year-old, who previously turned out for AmaZulu in the Premier Soccer League (PSL), has now been on the books of close to 20 clubs across Africa and Asia, and is with his fifth Zimbabwean team in under three years.

Urikhob says that despite scepticism at home in Namibia over his decision to move to Zimbabwe, the financial rewards have been significantly higher than many expect.

“You know what, even in Namibia, they were asking questions about why I came here (Zimbabwe), but now there are more Namibian players coming here after me,” Urikhob told this website earlier this year.

“People can be so opinionated, but you can earn good money here.

“I always tell my friends that your money is not in your country, so you have to travel,” said the experienced footballer.

He adds that the money he’s earned in Zimbabwe is more than 20 times what he ever earned in Namibia. “It is the truth,” he said.

“What I have been getting here in Zimbabwe has been even slightly better than what I got at AmaZulu.

“So, I have been getting paid better here in Zim than I did in SA as well,” discloses Urikhob, while confirming that he is negotiating his next move.

Fifth club in three years in Zimbabwe

Triangle FC, currently anchored to the bottom of the Zimbabwe Premier League table, are the latest employers to take a chance on the well-travelled forward.

Urikhob’s arrival adds experience to a club battling to preserve its top-flight status, while also underlining his reputation as one of the modern game’s ultimate journeymen.

His stay in Zimbabwe has already included spells at Dynamos, Yadah and Kwekwe United, as well as Scottland FC, before this latest switch to Triangle. All of those moves have come in less than three seasons.

A career spanning Africa and Asia

Since leaving AmaZulu around 12 years ago, Urikhob has embarked on a career that has taken him across multiple countries and divisions.

Outside South Africa and Zimbabwe, he has featured extensively in Thailand, turning out for Saraburi, SP Samut Prakan, Police Tero, Chiangmai FC, North Bangkok University, Uttaradit FC and MH Nakhon Si City.

He has also played in Indonesia with PSMS Medan, and in Tanzania for Young Africans – one of East Africa’s leading clubs.

In his homeland Namibia, Urikhob previously represented Civics, Ramblers and Orlando Pirates Windhoek before his travels abroad gained momentum.

Despite the frequent moves, he argues that his strategy has been financially sound, particularly since relocating to Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe boom luring players back from South Africa

Urikhob’s claims about the financial viability of the Zimbabwean league come at a time when several Zimbabwean players are reversing the usual flow of talent by returning from South Africa.

Meanwhile, Mason Mushore has become the latest player moving across the Limpopo River back to Zimbabwe.

Mushore had a difficult short stay at AmaZulu and has chosen to sign with FC Platinum who are coached by former SuperSport United and Silver Stars winger Joel Luphahla.

There has been a great trek back home in the last month for Zimbabwe players with Washington Arubi, Edmore Chirambadare, Prince Dube, Gerald Takwara, and Emmanuel Jalai headlining the list of former PSL players now back home.

That trend, combined with Urikhob’s testimony that he earns more in Zimbabwe than he did in both Namibia and South Africa, highlights a shifting financial landscape in the region – and suggests that for some players, following the money now means looking beyond the traditional lure of the PSL.