The eldest son of Portuguese migrants, young Ivo found himself washed ashore the isolated southern coastal harbor town of Lüderitzbucht, where he spent a significant chunk of his formative years as a toddler. He is the elder brother of the equally gifted football playing de Gouevia siblings Carlos, Emedio, Luis, and Sandro, Ivo was head and shoulders above his peers playing football the way the game should be played.
Unfortunately, his isolation denied him the opportunity to represent his adopted land of the Brave at the youth level, despite his unquestionable talent. Ivo was obliged to watch less-talented ‘footies’ do their thing on football pitches, kicking his heels in frustration. Nevertheless, the stone aged adage that you can’t keep a good man down finally played its hand when the family trekked up northward in search of greener pastures, only to resurface in Walvis Bay.
The football crazy young man teamed up with a few other talented blokes in the town to form the predominantly Portuguese-speaking outfit Sparta United Football Club in 1973.
The new kid on the block hit the ground running and went on to cement their place in domestic football as one of the most exciting football entities in the business. United was best known for their trademark attractive style of football, a combination of flair, aggression, and elegance with a bit of football arrogance.
United dominated football in the white National League, winning several high-profile cup tournaments. The team went on an aggressive recruitment drive, shipping players from neighboring South Africa and far afield to beef up the squad. Some prominent names included Ronnie Dagnin, Jimmy Orchard, Colin Lackey, and others. In the meantime, Ivo was duly selected for the All Whites Invitational Eleven against their Black counterparts in the historic exhibition match at the packed-to-the-rafters Suidwes stadium in 1975. Ivo registered his name on the score sheet in the controversial 3-all stalemate.
With pride and racial supremacy at stake, that encounter drew a large crowd that saw the compact stadium bursting at the seams.
He played a significant role when the whites came out unscathed in the return match the following year. The whites won 2-1 but truth be told, this pair of exhibition matches ultimately paved the way for the inevitable introduction of mixed-race football in Apartheid South West Africa in 1977.
The much-adored, kindhearted, well-polished midfield kingpin skippered the South West Africa Currie Cup side on several occasions, wearing the captain’s armband for arguably the finest South West Africa Currie Cup side ever assembled in history in 1983. A true gentleman on and off the field, Ivo is still highly valued, respected, and held in high esteem in local football circles for his selfless contribution towards the overall development of the game. When United folded, Ivo, his trusted United teammate Uwe Bachman (coach), and Atlantis’ lethal goal poacher Don Renzke, found refuge at cross-town rivals Blue Waters. The trio enjoyed success, albeit shot-lived.
A brilliant passer of the spherical object, Ivo could strike the ball well from range. He was a regular starter for the Western Invitational Eleven in addition to a short spell at coastal old timers Atlantis.
A founder member of Maritimo, successor to United upon the country’s much-anticipated democracy in 1990, Ivo played alongside his younger brothers, Luis and Sandro, for the newly formed, exciting outfit.
Apart from his remarkable football pedigree, Ivo has done commendable humanitarian work for previously marginalised communities. Former club Blue Waters were the chief beneficiaries of his unselfish generosity after the kindhearted business mogul donated a 16-seater bus to the club.
A man of few words, Ivo was instrumental in unpublicised financial assistance towards the welfare of several charity events, including needy families, behind the scenes.
Give Caesar what rightfully belongs to him; we must learn to give people their flowers whilst still breathing fresh air.
On a personal note, the recently launched book titled: The Untold History of Namibian Football, would not have become a reality had it not been for the timely generosity of Ivo.
The author owes a great debt of gratitude to this great son of the soil. Long live Ivo de Goiveia. Namibian football will be poorer without visionary blokes like you.