By Kuvee Kangueehi
WINDHOEK
The man who successfully captained the Civics FC club to its first successive league titles and the NFA Cup, Amos Shiyuka, will finally bid farewell to the beautiful game of football on Saturday afternoon at the Independence Stadium. Shiyuka is hanging up his boots, but not before the nation gets to see the country’s soccer legends on show.
Shiyuka has organized his legendary exit, with famous players such as Doctor Khumalo and Phil Masinga leading a host of South African players to engage a team personally assembled by Shiyuka at the Independence Stadium this Saturday.
At a press briefing yesterday, Shiyuka who was flanked by one of the finest finds of pre-colonial Namibia, former Tigers striker Foresta Nicodemus, advised the country to come in their numbers to witness entertainment at its best. Nicodemus, nicknamed ‘Let Them Dance’ during his heydays will partner his one-time playmate Frank Fredricks in the Shiyuka X1.
“Fredericks and Nicodemus were the best players of the 1980s and people will see a Frankie different from the one they used to see running,” he said.
The former Civics player will be retiring from active football after serving his club and country for the last thirteen years. “I want Brian Isaacs to be the coach of the Shiyuka X1, because he was the first man to coach me when I emerged on the soccer scene,” said Shiyuka.
Other players to play alongside Shiyuka are former skippers Ronnie Kanalelo, Congo Hindjou, Collin Benjamin, Lolito !Goraseb, Gerros Witbeen and many more, while Doctor Khumalo is expected to bring his 1996 African Nations Cup winning team which is rich in names such as Benedict Vilakazi, David Nyathi, Jabu Pule, Shoes Moshoeu, among others.
“We are busy negotiating for Kalusha Bwalya to be here as well,” said Shiyuka, with high hopes that the 1988 African Footballer of the Year would be around for his final match. Both the 1996 African Champions and the Shiyuka X1 players will have an opportunity to visit charity organizations on the eve of Shiyuka’s retirement.
The gates, to avoid any stampede, will open at 13h00 and an Under-17 match between Civics and African Stars will be the curtain-raiser. The main match slated for 16h00 is expected to be a crowd-puller as the media was assured that Nicodemus has not lost any of his tricky touches. Although a friendly, it will very competitive as it will include players still playing in the current Civics FC.
Speaking at the press conference, NFA Acting Secretary-General, Barry Rukoro, paid tribute to Shiyuka and said Shiyuka has sacrificed a lot for the Namibian national teams.
He said Shiyuka was very instrumental as he served as skipper for the different national sides and deputised as captain for the Brave Warriors.
Rukoro praised the former player for bidding farewell to local soccer in a such a fantastic fashion, as no one will have questions after such a proper departure. He recalled a particular match in Mozambique in which Shiyuka was instrumental in Namibia’s comeback after trailing 3-0 at halftime. He said the team needed a leader and Shiyuka provided the perfect response.
Besides the on-field thrills, fans will also be treated to a variety of after-party music from South African artist Mdu and local gurus Gazza, Ongoro Nomundu, Stanley, The Dogg and many more. An after-party is scheduled at club La Dee Das.
Shiyuka also thanked various sponsors contributing to his testimonial match and singled out Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL), Mobile Telecommunication Limited (MTC), First National Bank (FNB), ONE Africa Television, Total Namibia, OTB, Streethouse, Windhoek Country Club and Imperial Car Rental. Tickets for the game are available at Soccer House.