WINDHOEK – The Namibian football fraternity is in shock following the untimely death of former Battle Boys FC and African Stars versatile footballer Timotheus Goagoseb, better known as Lemmy in football circles.
Lemmy rose to prominence as an exciting young and highly gifted attacking midfielder in the black and white colours of Okahandja-based youthful and exciting outfit Battle Boys Football Club in the early seventies, where he made a name for himself. Big teams from the city of lights got wind of the garden town’s football wunderkind’s exploits on the football pitch and dispatched talent scouts to keep a close eye on the youngster. Despite persistent advances from the likes of Orlando Pirates, Black Africa and Tigers – Lemmy opted to join Katutura glamour football club African Stars where he teamed up with boyhood buddies George Gariseb, Oscar Mengo, Merino Kandonga, Ismael Kkoeseb, Albert Tjihero, Doc Naobeb and Ace Tjirera.
He was converted to the left back position by Stars wily mentor Dieter Widmann, replacing the ageing Merino Kandonga – a position he made his own until his premature retirement from the game through a career ending knee injury. Lemmy’s rock steady defense in the Reds backline alongside Tjihero, Willy Katire and Gariseb made Stars the team to beat and was a member of the all-conquering Reds outfit that won silverware in domestic football between 1977 and 1982, including the coveted and now defunct Mainstay Cup. He was fittingly nicknamed Lemmy after the great Orlando Pirates muscular speedy striker Ishmael ‘Lemmy’ Special Narib. The pair had a lot in common, not only because of their customary and similar body movements and identical playing style, but more importantly, their looks physical appearance, which made them resemble identical twins. Lemmy passed away in his hometown Okahandja last Friday after losing a long battle with cancer. Funeral arrangements are not yet known.
By Carlos Kambaekwa