Born in the booming coastal harbour town of Walvis Bay on 22 July 1966, young Patrick started kicking tennis balls or inflated plastic bags at an early age, playing street football with boyhood buddies.
The speedy forward, a proud descendant of the minority Topnaar unique ethnic group #Aonin, sub-clan of the Nama ethnic group, primarily located on the banks of the Kuiseb River in the Erongo region, got exposed to competitive football when he teamed up with his buddies to form a social team, Amazulu, in between turning out for the star studded Kuisebmond Secondary School.
Growing increasingly tired and frustrated watching their age mates strut their stuff in a competitive environment in the colours of established teams, Blue Waters, Namib Woestyn, Eleven Arrows, and Explorer Eleven, the enthusiastic boys resolved to move up a layer and join the party.
Patrick and some of his football-crazy buddies formed a new team, baptised Super Stars Football Club. The youthful outfit competed fiercely in the popular knockout tournaments in nearby towns, Swakopmund, Arandis, Usakos and Karibib.
After some impressive performances for the black and white stripe outfit, the wide-awake Blue Waters talent scouts came knocking on the door for his signature. The slippery forward needed no second invitation and jumped ship to join forces with ‘Omeva’.
His inevitable arrival at the Kuisebmond giants coincided with a major squad overhaul at the institution, which culminated in an aggressive transformation drive that saw a significant number of highly gifted youngsters thrown into the Lions’ den to preserve the Birds’ legacy attached to a winning culture, whilst playing attractive, entertaining football
The new recruits were hurriedly brought on board to succeed the ageing old guard under the guidance of astute Zimbabwean mentor Shepherd Murape, shortly after the country had managed to unshackle itself from the puke-inducing web of racial segregation imposed by the ruthless South African apartheid regime, back in the day.
Partnering the equally dangerous quartet of Nicodemus ‘Cruyff’ Kudulu, Kefas ‘Costa’ Lucas, Leo ‘Computer’ Kuutondokwa, and lanky, lethal goal poacher Bernard ‘Striker’ Muaine, in the Birds’ sharp as razor firing line, Patz hit the ground running, banging in well taken goals as if the art of goal scoring was going out of fashion.
The diminutive net rattler formed a telepathic partnership with co-forwards Muaine and Kudulu, feeding off supplies from the amazing wing play of Kuutondokwa and Lucas. His goals propelled the reenergized coastal outfit to greater heights, winning the coveted Premiership title and a few other high profile knockout tournaments.
Patrick was a well-rounded athlete, fast as lightning, brilliant first touch, decent dribbling skills, accurate shooting with both feet, cleverly timed tricky runs behind the defence, could read the game well, and above all, a clinical finisher.
Despite his lack of height for a centre forward in the modern game, Patrick played to his strengths, utilising his God-given football intelligence to the fullest. The pocket sized attacker always asked his teammates to play the ball to his feet or into the open pockets of space behind the defensive line.
Patrick was a modern day forward whose overall style of play was reminiscent of Germany’s 1974 World Cup winner, European champion 1972 and three-time European Cup gold medalist with Bayern Munich, Gerd ‘Der Bomber’ Müller.
Off the pitch, Bro Patz was as cool as a cucumber, a jovial socialite with a good taste for fancy ‘Juvies’ (decent attire), always dressed elegantly for the occasion, in the habit of cracking humorous jokes that left those who dared to lend an ear in stitches. A great dude of substance gone too early. Rus saag outie van my, may your soul rest in ancestral power.
Meanwhile, parent club Blue Waters Sport Club has issued an emotional press release expressing shock and disbelief about the sudden departure of their prized asset.
“It’s with a heavy heart that we have learned about the death of our veteran player, Patrick Isaacks. Our sincere condolences to the bereaved family. Your pain is our sorrow.
Go well, Patrick,” reads the short message.