WINDHOEK – As the Namibian football fraternity struggles to come to terms with the sad passing of Blue Waters pair of Theo ‘Don King’ Mutumbulwa and Petrus ‘Kaboy’ Shovaleka, as well as Civics defender Pieter ‘Ralla’ Klaaste, another tragedy has struck domestic football again.
Former African Stars fullback Zebedeus ‘Merino’ Kandonga, has silently exited the game of life after losing a long battle with diabetes. The likeable Merino, a product of the Garden Town, Okahandja where the majority of the all-conquering African Stars outfit in the late 70’s and early 80’s hailed from died in a Windhoek hospital on Monday evening.
Merino (63) has been unwell for a significant number of years after he suffered a vicious stroke that left him partly paralyzed, while his speech was also impeded.
He joined the Katutura glamour football club in 1974 from Black Beauty Chiefs (BBC) via Flames FC on the recommendation of boyhood and hometown buddy Oscar ‘Silver Fox’ Mengo.
The likeable soft-spoken, but hard tackling defender was in the starting lineup of the Reds squad that saw off archrivals Black Africa in the Dave’s Cup final in 1974 and also formed an integral part of the Reds invincible brigade that completed a whitewash during the inaugural season of multi-racial football in 1977.
During his tenure with the Reds, Merino formed the backbone of the team’s rearguard alongside notable defenders led by Kierie Tjituaiza, Bush Menjengua, Albert Tjihero, Kariirii Katire, Soetman Kaune, George Gariseb, Willy Rwida and Lemmy Goagoseb.
Merino, also known by his clan name Karonga, was a loyal soldier who remained true to his beloved Reds even when his close buddies from his hometown resolved to sever ties with the club to form Liverpool FC at Namibia’s independence in 1990.
By Carlos Kambaekwa