Having enjoyed a stellar career spanning close to a decade of uninterrupted service to the Buccaneers, John Awarab will go down in history as a Pirates legend. Though his overall style of play did not inspire confidence in the neutral football fan, John was, by a decent stretch, one of the most consistent squad members for the high-flying black and white stripe outfit.

The fit as fiddle fullback arrived at Pirates from Catholic Mission Primary School, St. Don Bosco Primary School, holed up in Goas near Karibib, in the great Erongo region. He was immediately slotted in to starting lineup and never looked back ever since making his debut for the Buccaneers at a very young age. 

Playing in a solid back four alongside the robust big frame centre back Izaak ‘Whoops’ Brown-Gariseb, Matheus ‘Growes’ Namaseb, Frederick Nanab Gaoseb, and young St Joseph’s Secondary School (Dobra) protégé Steve Stephanus, the petit structured fullback was the designated cornerstone of the team’s uncompromising rearguard.

John boasts a remarkable pedigree, having represented Orlando Pirates with distinction, delivering impressive displays week in, week out for the Buccaneers. He was in the starting lineup when the rejuvenated Pirates hammered pre-tournament favourites Namib Woestyn by four (4) unanswered goals in the rescheduled final of the annual Yoko Tea Cup, at the old Katutura stadium B-field. 

The final, initially held in the southern capital Keetmanshoop, was moved to Windhoek after it was disrupted by poor light. The visitors were hot favourites to send their hosts packing, spearheaded by the devastating front-line quartet of inspirational captain Laurentius ‘Daito’ Hagedoorn, Haban Adams, Straal Auchumeb, and Axarob Doeseb. 

Tension reached a boiling point when the visitors were spotted carrying sharp objects concealed in their socks, apparently in anticipation of defending themselves against potential attacks by the volatile home team supporters.

However, the Lemmy Narib-inspired Pirates made their opponents eat humble pie as they ran onto the field in brand-new playing attire concealed under their old jerseys – much to the amusement of their physiologically paralysed opponents. John was tasked with keeping the dangerous right winger Adams in check, an assignment he completed without fail.

One of the most senior squad members, the hard tackling fullback went on to oversee several generations over the intervening years, in the process winning several high-profile knockout cup tournaments across the length and breadth of the country.

However, the inevitable arrival of a young, bulky fullback from St Joseph’s Secondary School (Dobra), one Augustinus ‘Dokes’ Hange, restricted John’s playing time, confining him to sporadic cameo roles. Nevertheless, the hard-tackling fullback never wavered; he remained put until his retirement from playing competitive football well into his late 30s.

Off the field, the uncompromising fullback was an elegant dresser always attired in eye catching, expensive, stylish ‘Juvies’, befitting a national hero. Admittedly, John was liked and adored by many, including supporters from opposing teams who were in absolute awe of his jaw-dropping defensive capabilities. 

He would easily stop dangerous strikers in their tracks with his timely tackles, complemented by his amazing pace. A true legend of the game, John has left deep tracks in the annals of domestic football, having revolutionised the fullback role with a touch of sheer elegance through his constant overlapping. 

John could suddenly transition into a forward when entering the final quarter of the playing surface. Fitted with a big engine, the hard tackling fullback was among the Pirates’ top performers and never let the team down. Never shying away from throwing his body on the line whenever called upon, John was the kind of soldier always ready to die with his boots on for his beloved Pirates. 

Bro John barely had a bad day at the office, marking and breathing heavily down the necks of dangerous predators; Pius Eigowab, Selle Auchumeb, Stouter Ochurub, Mike Hans, Hassie Mingeri, Immanuel Kamuserandu, Dahle Stephanus, and many others all at some stage tasted the bitter medicine dished out by the Pirates’ hard man… Let us give the man his flowers whilst still alive.