WINDHOEK – Deservedly and fittingly nicknamed “Aubrey” in reference to mercurial Morroka Swallows (South Africa) bow-legged play maker Aubrey “the Great” Magkopela – African was born in Windhoek in 1963 and grew up in the dusty streets of Katutura.
Unlike many of his buddies who played for small teams in the neigbourhood – the stocky midfielder started out for Pirates’ second strings playing alongside Squash Kapuka, Obed Kapangurua Kapepu (Gorilla), Johnny Classen, Topsen Afrikaner, Hunab Eichab, Pedro Kooper and Vaaitjie Aperpo.
However, African rose to prominence when he went to further his education at the Petrus Ganeb High School in Uis, Erongo region. He featured regularly for the school’s first football team and his explosive performance alerted the Pirates hierarchy.
African was among a horde of young footballers roped in by Pirates to replace the fading old guard of Steve Stephanus, Lemmy Narib, Dokes Hange, Killer Kamberipa and others.
The fast galloping attacking midfielder made his debut for Pirates against Blue Waters at the Kuisebmond Stadium in Walvis Bay in 1985. His arrival at Pirates coincided with the formation of the newly formed breakaway Namibia Soccer Super League (NSSL).
“I vividly remember that day when I played my first game for Pirates first team with the late Dios “Zebo” Englbrecht as our head coach. Dios was a strict disciplinarian who could not tolerate indiscipline among players but one good thing about Bra Dios, is that he was a man of immerse principals blessed with fairness in his team selection,” reveals African.
“I must admit that I was very lucky in the sense that when I joined Pirates, I suddenly found myself in the company of great athletes such as Brian Greaves, Ambrossius Vyff, Eric Muinjo, Lewa Awaseb, Norries Goraseb and Paul Gawarib Urib”.
Although he ended on the losing side in his debut match against the Koko Muatunga’s inspired coastal outfit, African acquitted himself well under trying circumstances and was given the all clear form thereon to lead the Ghosts firing line in upcoming matches.
The soft-spoken attacking midfielder quickly established himself as a vital cog in the Ghosts engine room and became the chief instigator in many of Pirates forays as his defense splitting passes found the path of the sharp-shooting pair of Ben Gaseb and Bandi Namaseb.
African was to form a telepathic partnership with Zedecias “Axab” Gowaseb and Samora Apollus in the intervening years. He eventually formed the spine of the Ghosts with fearless shot stopper Mabos Vries and tough tackling defender Salath Ndjao steadying the Buccaneers smooth sailing ship.
He played a blinder in Pirates international exhibition match against the visiting Angolan side Pedro Atletico from Luanda that ended in a 1-all stalemate at the packed to the rafters old Katutura Stadium (renamed Sam Nujoma stadium).
However, Pirates were brought heavily down to mother gravity, suffering a humiliating 7-0 hiding at the hands of the Angolans in the return leg in Luanda, Angola.
“Those guys were way ahead of us in terms of technical and tactical ability. We were completely outplayed in all departments but there were some lessons learned from that heavy defeat as we learned more about ball retention, possession and how to defend and get behind the ball when losing possession in crucial areas”
Despite the setback, ‘Aubrey’ got some consolation when he was called up for the strong Central Invitation Eleven to compete in friendly matches against the visiting Ace Mates and The Birds.
The visitors had in their line up football greats such as the legendary Ace Ntsoelengoe, Jan Malombo Lichaba, Aubrey Magkopela, Congo Malebane, Ben Ntuli and William Makhura, among the crème de la crème of South African professional footballers.
As fate would dictate, African was posted to Swakopmund as an employee of the Ministry of Fisheries – only to become a forgotten man in the Pirates camp back home.
The likeable midfielder was considered of having become a bit long in the tooth (ageing) and was deemed surplus to requirement at the Ghosts and was laterally left to kick his heels in frustration as a result of lack of competitive football.
Former African Stars wide awake team manager Stanley “Stigga” Kozonguizi, got a sniff of the midfielder’s dilemma at Pirates and tip-toed to the coast to convince the unhappy winger to jump ship and join forces with the Reds, and as they say, the rest is history.
African arrived at Stars when the Reds were in a rebuilding process after the team’s blue-eyed boy Oscar Mengo and his celebrated brothers-in-law (Albert, Jamanuka and Bimbo Tjihero) vacated the Reds nest for the newly formed Liverpool outfit from their home town Okahandja.
The former Orlando Pirates right-winger immediately settled down at Stars and led the team’s revival with Angolan import Domingo Martin, Wagga Goagoseb and Bernard Newmann.
After one full season with the Reds, where he became an instant hit among the usually hard to please Reds supporters, his old man Ou Geiter, who had in the first place never approved his departure from the Ghosts, summoned his prodigal son to return home, leaving his obedient sibling obliged to answer the call and retreat back to the Ghosts.
African finally called it quits after just one more season with his beloved Pirates and has ever since been made team manager of the club. Having experienced first hand the goings on in domestic football – ‘Aubrey’ bemoans the current standards and poor quality in local football.
“To be frank, the game lacks the presence of entertainers and match winners in the mould of the late Norries Goraseb”.