Inside the Aged
It’s no exaggeration to note that both Black Africa and Orlando Pirates have largely lived off the southern part of the country in keeping their legacy afloat in years gone by, and up to this day there has been very little adjustment to that old trend, so to speak.
Former greats such as Hans “Alu” Hummel, the late Norbertus “Norries” Goraseb, Barnes Hansen, Lucky and Paultjie Boonstander, Francis Kooper, Doc Jossop, Markus “Killer” Kamberipa and George Hummel were all products from down South – who certainly left their mark in the annals of Namibian football.
And while the South has produced a significant number of talented footballers who went on to become established names in domestic football – some players got stuck to their guns and point-blankly resisted the temptation of trekking to the City of milk and honey.
One such footballer is former Bee Bob Brothers’ hard-as-nails centre back Edu Boois – New Era Sports caught up with Bra Edu in his hometown Mariental, where the 53-year old Boois took us through his career as a footballer in the dusty streets of Aimablaagte.
By Carlos Kambaekwa
WINDHOEK – Unlike modern footballers who are so prone to developing itchy feet at the slightest provocation – Edu Boois only donned the Black and Red colours of his beloved team Bee Bob Brothers.
It was at Bee Bob Brothers where he formed a brotherly bond with other players of note such as Terry and Simon Kooper, Isaak “Izallo” Swarts and Tostao Mungunda.
“Those were the days my broer, we would sometimes take ages driving to Windhoek to play in tournaments there against the likes of Orlando Pirates and African Stars to compete for trophies only, and no financial incentives at stake.
“We would always struggle against the Windhoek-based teams because we found the transition from playing on a gravel pitch to the lawn surface a bit awkward at times. As a result, we got whacked by the more streetwise Outies from the Katutura township. But as we became used to the playing conditions, we started to give a good account of ourselves and certainly became a force to be reckoned with in domestic football.”
In his own words, Bee Bob Brothers were the darlings of the South as they dominated the beautiful game in this part of the country with the likes of Try Again, Black Arrows, King Pele Santos and Atlanta Bucks from L??????’??