Well, some football tales are casts in lights whereas others, like Mahne Kruger’s, are etched in grit, memory, and moments that echoed long after the stadiums have gone mute. From the school yards of Mondesa to the country’s flagship league stages, Mahne’s journey is a saga of searing pace, unforgettable, breathtaking goals, and spirit that...
Author: Carlos Kambaekwa (Carlos Kambaekwa )
Tales of the Legends – Paying dignified homage to unsung hero Lazarus ‘Sifu Ou Xam’ Mambo 1946-2025
A proud product of Windhoek’s old location where only the toughest survived, trying by all means using all tricks in the book to escape the wrath and constant bullying from the notorious pair of ‘Ou Windhoek, and Xoates, ‘Ou Xam’ was your typical streetwise kasi boy and knew exactly how to wangle and maneuvre his...
Tales of the Legends – Rest in heavenly peace, liberation struggle stalwart Jonathan Ti-heb Goliath 1941 – 2025
Cometh the hour, cometh the man, the Southern part of Namibia is synonymous with the knack of unearthing a significant number of brave men with remarkable pedigree, ranging from great thinkers, academics, artistes, and above all, highly gifted footballers. A fearless politician, unwavering community activist, and God-fearing man of substance Jonathan Ti-heb Goliath was not...
Tales of the Legends – Ode to trident of departed sporting icons Kephes Harry /Awaseb Conradie 1937-2014
He came, saw and courageously conquered a previously uncharted territory, and in the process placed his life on tenterhooks with the notorious trigger-happy Bowker Boys. An upright man of strong principles, a steadfast community activist and an uncompromising politician, Conradie was indeed a jack of all trades in many spheres of life. Famously going by...
Tales of the Legends – Farewell to agile gloves man …RIP – Isaac Lesley Basson 1960 – 2025
He came, saw and conquered Namibian football pitches with pride and confidence. Retired Hungry Lions Football Club shot stopper, Doobra protégé Isaac Basson, famously known as ‘Ou Les’ shortened for Lesley, was a beast between the sticks. Elder brother to the equally gifted goal poacher Justice Basson, the two brothers set the local football scene...
Revisiting the ‘Good old days’ of forgotten football icon Helmut Semel Horstempke
A product of the revered Swakopmund High School located on the banks of the gigantic Atlantic Ocean, Helmut Semel Horstempke started playing competitive football for the school’s senior football team demonstrating talent and maturity way belying his tender age. Horstempke was your typical modern-day box-to-box midfielder, possessing great technique on and off the ball. He...
Tales of the Legends – Ode to a pair of departed sport heroes Christo Alexander and Manfred Christiaan 1964 – 2025 / 1987 – 2025
Dear readers, please pardon me, my ageing fingers are trampling and shivering like a concertina player in a fired-up shuffling ‘Boere Orkes’ (Afrikaners live music band), as I’m brutally hammering the keyboards of my trusted blue laptop inking a fitting tribute to a great man of substance, Christo Alexander. Truthfully, the author got to know...
Tales of the Legends – Trading blows with noted academic-cum-leather trader Dr Fanuel Ngatangue Tjingaete
Born at Windhoek’s Old Location in 1952, Fanuel Ngatangue Tjingaete, famously known as ‘Fanie’ in social circles was always destined for greatness from day one. Growing up in harsh conditions at Windhoek’s Old Location, it was imperative for many young boys from the disadvantaged Bantu community to be streetwise. It was a life full of...
Tales of the Legends – Visiting the Zoo Park with Bro Josh Joshua Kambizo ‘Zoo’ Tjikuzu
A proud product of the revered Rhenisch Herero School at Windhoek’s old location, Bro ‘Zoo’ was just like many young boys his age football crazy, the brother would play the game at the slightest provocation, be it in the streets, on the way to the local grocery shop or any available open space. In the...
Tales of the Legends – Tribute to trio of departed football legends Klaus Linow 1938 – 2025
Hold your horses ‘born-frees’. The name Klaus Linow might sound ancient but the former South West Africa (SWA) and Sport Klub Windhoek (SKW) stalwart will go down in history as one of the most decorated footballers of all time. Linow represented his motherland (Namibia) with great aplomb at Inter-Provincial level. He was in the starting...