Jonathan ‘Samora’ Apollus was a player who played with extraordinary flair and passion. In fact, he made dribbling past a cluster of defenders look so simple it seemed he walked through them.
Born and raised in Windhoek, Apollus sharpened his football skills on a concrete surface in front of Augeikhas Primary School, where he started his education.
“Unlike the majority of the youngsters from the townships who started playing on gravel, I learned my craft on a cement floor with a tiny tennis ball.
“I didn’t care where I was told to play, whether it was in defence, midfield, forward or even as a goalkeeper, as long as I was in the starting 11.”
His versatility would later become invaluable for Orlando Pirates because it left the team’s coaches with a lot of options.
Apollus says he mostly loved to play as a sweeper in the defence but would find himself deployed in the midfield or on either wings of the Pirates forward line.
“ I always gave my 120% contribution to the team. I was easily coachable and very reliable in making a difference for the team,” he says.
“The supporters have so much faith in me but I must say that I was among very great players at Pirates. It was great playing with great players that I greatly admired.”
Before Pirates, Apollus first went to Goreangab Primary School before he moved to AI Steenkamp Primary School, where he started playing for the school team.
“I played alongside Roccy Jagger, who was a gifted player and later played for Sorento Bucks and Pirates.”
After school, Apollus joined his childhood friend, Richard ‘Waga-Waga’ Goagoseb, and Jagger to an open ground next to the old Katutura Stadium, to train with their team, Iwisa.
It was during his time with Iwisa that he was spotted by the Pirates talent scouts – a team he supported as a boy.
Apollus says he wants to be remembered as a reliable player who always made things happen for his team.
“I remember a day Pirates supporter didn’t want to see my face. It was during the Castle Classic Cup final against our bitter rivals, Black Africa,” the dribbling wizard says.
“The two were locked 1-all and I received a chance to win the match 2-1 for Pirates after I was fouled and we were awarded a penalty. I missed from the spot and the fans were mad.”
However, he says he had the chance to redeem himself when he went on to help the Katutura Sea Robbers win the replay match.
The match ended in another 1-1 draw and he asked goalie Nana Namaseb for his jersey and he went on to save Mike Petersen’s spot kick to win the shootout and cup for his team.
The single father of four says despite the presence of talented players on the Pirates team, the club only won the Metropolitan Cup.
“I don’t really understand why we didn’t dominate the same way our cross-town rivals African Stars and BA did because we had great players in our team,” he notes.
“On paper we had a great team and we were by far the most exciting team in the country because we played entertaining football. Our attack was also well balanced and lethal.”
The Pirates strike force fielded players like Benjamin ‘Kleintjie’ Gaseb, Bandi Namaseb, Eddy ‘Lamola’ Amadhila, Steven ‘Madigage’ Damaseb and Jordan ‘Jorries’ Afrikaner.
Although Apollus could easily waltz his way past defenders, he says he enjoyed playing a through ball for a teammate or when he played a return pass to free a teammate.
Besides thriving on the football pitch, the retired star also tried his luck on the track in the 100m and 200m sprints during his years at AI Steenkamp.
Apart from playing for the South West Africa Territorial Force team, where he was doing compulsory military service, he also played one match for the South West Africa provincial team.
“It was an exciting match played at a very fast pace. I am not really a hard runner because I love the football at my feet. Those uptempo games require you to play fast,” he says.
“I was also honoured to represent my country during the Independence Day celebrations in 1990 when I was selected on the Presidential XI team that played Russia’s Spartak Moscow.”
The Presidential XI also fielded guest players like German star Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and South Africa’s Ephraim ‘Jomo’ Sono, who scored from a stunning free-kick on the day.
Apollus, who credits Jorries and late Norries Goraseb as the two people who influenced his playing career, says football made him recognisable.
“Football did not have a lot of money like today. I didn’t get any financial rewards from the beautiful game. However, I was recognisable on the streets,” he says.
“The elderly people, especially Pirates fans, still stop me in the street and speak about how they enjoyed watching me play. That only means a lot to me.”
He says he always enjoyed playing against tough defenders, especially the reckless tacklers. However, he found it tough to play against Uumati brothers, Gray and Kumi, from Tigers.
He says despite the physical aspect of it, he enjoyed the type of football he played because it brought him joy and the crowd loved it as well.
The former Pirates star is no longer involved with the game but he still goes to the stadium to support both Bucks Buccaneers and Orlando Pirates – despite their rivalry.
What he misses most from his playing days is the adrenaline rush before kick-off and the cheering fans.
Apollus still keeps in touch with some of his former teammates.
The former dribbling wizard has advice for today’s young players.
“The reason we became adorable to our fans is because we played football with our hearts. Listen attentively to your coach and teammates and be respectful,” he says.
“Smoking and drinking shouldn’t be part of your career. Remember you are always monitored by scouts and your discipline and consistency could attract foreign interest.”
He says today’s players have everything to play for because they can be signed by an international club which could change their lives for the better.
“Why throw away that talent by engaging in negative things that might derail your dream to stardom?” Apollus asks.
