Born Frederico Goncalves 1965 in Matadi, the chief seaport of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), capital of the Congo Central Province, adjacent to the border with Angola, young ‘Chicco’ was destined for greatness from the moment he stationed himself between the sticks. He started out with Kinshasa giants Mobari Football Club where he kept goal as a promising shot stopper.
Fed up with the civil war in his native land, Goncalves resolved to leave the DRC for Namibia via Angola.
There’s a saying in football that lethal net busters win you games, but great goalkeepers win you titles. Well, Goncalves certainly fits that analogy perfectly like a glove in hand as his heroics between the sticks propelled Ramblers to effortlessly clinch the coveted national league title in 1992.
Shepherding a well-organised tight defence line built around young football playing centre back Frederick ‘Tollie’ van Wyk, Mark Kurzner, overlapping fullbacks Dawid ‘Donkey’ Majiedt, and Rene Claasen, Goncalves was the rock behind Ramblers’ march to success.
The big frame gloves man instilled fear in his opponents with his trademark command in aerial duels, strong hands, unbeatable in one-on-one situations, fearless shot stopper and phenomenal ball distributor among his few commendable traits.
Goncalves announced his arrival in domestic football with breathtaking saves in the hotly contested Namibia Premiership keeping lethal strikers such as Ben Gaseb, Gerros Uri-khob, Kosie Springbok, Dawid Snewe, and Steven Damaseb at bay thus limiting their goal scoring ambitions.
He played a blinder against Mozambican champions Costa do Sol in the CAF Club first leg Elimination in Maputo keeping the dangerous hosts attackers at arms-length with breathtaking saves that left the fired up hostile home crowd in absolute shock.
Ramblers narrowly lost 2-1 after captain fantastic Rudi ‘Paaltjies’ Pahl put the visitors ahead via a close-range effort in the opening half. The second leg ended in a goalless draw at the Windhoek Independence stadium in 1983.
His heroics between the sticks restricted internationally acclaimed striker Pio Noqueria during a midweek warm up match under floodlights against a predominantly Portuguese hastily selected Invitational side at the iconic Boksburg stadium in Johannesburg en route to Maputo. The electrifying end to end encounter where no quarter was asked or given ended goalless (0-0).
During his short-lived but nevertheless highly successful stint in the country’s flagship league, he was by a decent stretch the best goalkeeper in the business. He accumulated clean sheets in as many crucial matches like nobody’s business.
Apart from being crowned the proud recipient of a gold medal courtesy of the 1992 league title, Goncalves was stationed between the sticks when Ramblers surrendered a two-goal cushion to lose 3-2 against cross city rivals African Stars in the Metropolitan 4-Life Cup final at Windhoek’s Independence stadium in 1983.
He also had to be satisfied with a silver medal when Ramblers finished runners-up to Okahandja based Liverpool in the Castle Classic Cup. Like many of his compatriots, Chico developed itchy feet and slipped out of his adopted Land of the Brave only to resurface in the Mother City Cape Town.
The giant goalie joined Mannneberg based amateur outfit Green Dolphins Football Club. He found himself a stop-gap job as bouncer at a popular Sea Point Night Club Frankies, doubling up as security guard during the day.
Interestingly, the club was co-owned by former Hellenic Football Club defender Edo Dangi. Goncalves played a pivotal role when the Cape Town Amateurs surprised friend and foe by bundling PSL giants Hellenic out of the Bob Save Super Bowl Cup last 32 in 1998.
By now a serial bird of passage, he was on the move again, this time finding his way across the Mediterranean Sea en route to the United Kingdom. He managed to acquire refugee status in the UK after doing odd jobs in Birmingham, Manchester, and London. He is now back in Kinshasa, DRC.
RIP – Meester Gert Benjamin Katzao 1946 – 2025
Death has struck the entire football fraternity and education community following the sad passing of retired veteran schoolteacher-cum-inspector Meester Gert Katzao, a staunch supporter of Katutura giants Orlando Pirates Football Club. Katzao took a bow from the game of life on his 79th birthday. A friend to everyone, Meester was at some stage a valuable executive member of Pirates executing his duties with diligence. Katzao will be laid to rest at /Goms on Saturday 19 April 2025. May his gentle soul rest in eternal peace in one piece.