The now defunct South African Provincial Currie Cup Competition was inaugurated towards the end of 18th century and ever since been the flagship amateur football showpiece of the Republic of South Africa. Originally, there were only six teams but with increase in the popularity of the annual spectacle, the number of associations increased to 16. In those days, Namibia, then known as South West Africa (SWA), a protectorate of South Africa was allowed to form part of the tourney. Though unofficially, there is a strong belief that any footballer that has never graced the highly competitive annual Currie Cup Competition is not worth his salt since most of the finest footballers of that era represented their native land at some point during their illustrious football careers in pre Independent Namibia during the apartheid era. The squad that represented SWA in the 1981, the country’s 5th appearance at the annual Provincial tourney since the birth of multi-racial football in 1977, was regarded as one of the overall best teams. Former Sport Klub Windhoek (SKW) versatile speedy winger, Ingo Hoebel, was roommate of former Tigers utility defender, Mentos Hipondoka in that particular 16-member strong squad for the 89th edition of the annual Provincial tournament. In today’s edition of our weekly feature, Tales of the Legends, Ingo relives his moments in football and how he was obliged to obtain permission from his high school’s principal to play football in organised structures.
WINDHOEK – A product of Windhoek, Ingo was born in the Namibian commercial capital in 1955 and was certainly destined for the bigger stage as the sports crazy youngster excelled in both athletics and football.
He used to show his competitors a clean pair of heels in the 100-meter sprint and was equally home in both the high and long jump events while a pupil at the Orban Primary School.
During off seasons, Ingo would switch allegiance to the oval ball and kept himself busy by training with United Rugby Club where he played a couple of matches in the lower league. He also played volleyball but football was always going to be his first love.
At the fairly young age of 16, Ingo joined SKW but the youngster needed to obtain permission from his high school principal at WHS.
“There was this guy called Flafie Ludwig, one the best footballers of his generation. He would not allow me to play without a written authorisation from the school principal that football would not affect or interfere with my studies.
“I was eventually given the go ahead because my marks were excellent but after two seasons with Imawida’s second strings, I was called up to join the army. I was selected for the combined army football team for the national championships in Bloemfontein and was the only amateur in the squad,” reveals Ingo.
Upon completion of his army duties, Ingo joined forces with John Meinert Mannschafft but later went back to his beloved Imawida when Fritz Gluck, persuaded the fast as lightning prodigal son to return home promising Ingo first team action.
The versatile Ingo initially started out at left fullback but was later converted to the left wing position because of his amazing pace.
Although young Ingo missed out on selection for the Whites Invitational Eleven against their black counterparts in the historic sold out exhibition clash at the old Suidwes Stadium (Hage Geingob Stadium) – he experienced the feel of multi-racial football when he was selected for a shadow team featuring in the curtain raiser.
When Tsumeb based outfit Chief Santos visited Windhoek in 1976 to play a friendly against SKW, the first match pitting white and black football clubs against each other, Ingo was in the starting line up for Imawida as the more astute Germans walloped Santos 5-2 at the Windhoek Showground.
That particular match eventually paved the way for the inevitable introduction of multi-racial football the following season. His impressive performance earned him a well-deserved inclusion in the strong Central Invitational Eleven that competed in exhibition matches against visiting South African Professional clubs, Amazulu and Orlando Pirates.
In 1981, Ingo was the only member from SKW to be selected for the SWA Currie Team for the 89th edition of the annual South African Provincial Currie Cup Competition in Orkney, South of Johannesburg.
The following year, Ingo won the prestigious Imawida golden boot award after topping the goal scoring charts with a astonishing tally of 36 goals during the season. He once netted the fastest goal in club history after he came on as a late second half substitute for SKW against Swakopmund Football Club.
“I was very upset because our coach Gernot Ahrens, decided to leave me on the bench on that particular day and by the time he unleashed me, a free kick was directed onto my path and without thinking twice, I let fly with a ferocious left footer and the next moment, I saw the ball kissing the back of the net. We won the 3-1”.
Ingo also experienced some unpleasant episodes in his illustrious football career, notably during the infant years of transformation in domestic football.
“I vividly remembers the good old days of multi-racial football whenever we had to play in Katutura, there were no nets. Our first league match was against Flames and we did quite well but we got a rude awakening in our second visit to Katutura against African Stars – they gave us a real hiding (7-1)”.
Ingo had a taste of International football when he featured as a guest player for the country’s only semi professional club at the time, Windhoek City against the visiting Hauni FC from Germany.
“I was one of four players invited from SKW alongside Dieter Zimney, Freddy Graupe and Peter Rath. We played in all three exhibition matches but the German visitors were hopelessly too strong for us”.
Ingo’s impressive football resume includes the controversial Mainstay Cup final against Orlando Pirates in 1980 where Imawida were declared winners despite losing the tie 5-3 in extra time. The Ghosts were adjudged to have violated the rules by arriving 45-minutes for kick off – thus forfeiting the result on a technicality.
Ingo once netted a brace in SKW’s triumph against hosts Swakopmund in the annual Christmas Cup and also boasts three league titles from the Central Division One league with SKW.
He eventually retired from competitive football after suffering career ending knee injuries that required an operation. Although he recovered sufficiently from the setback and joined unfashionable DTS, where he doubled up as player coach – Ingo finally called it quits at the age of 42.