Blue Waters triumph over Tigers

WALVIS Bay football fans were treated to a feast of entertaining football when Blue Waters and Tigers’ yesteryear’s stars turned back the clock to engage each other in a thrilling encounter at a fully packed Blue Waters Stadium at Walvis Bay on Saturday.

The encounter, one of Blue Waters’ 80th anniversary celebration highlights, was played at a measured pace, as expected, and with the action mostly restricted to the centre of the field.

Blue Waters, with former club great Koko Matatias pulling the strings in the middle of the park, took early control of the ball possession and territorial advantage, with the Ingweinyama playing with their backs against the wall for most of the first half.

It thus came as no surprise when Lucky Shipanga rattled the Tigers net with a well-taken strike with his educated left foot, giving former Brave Warriors goalkeeper Dax Andjamba no chance in the Tigers goal.

The first half ended 1-0 in favour of the host team.

Blue Waters kept their foot on the accelerator in the second half, with their former stars Anthony van Wyk, Elia Nghipundjua, Gruyff Kudulu, Chicken Kasaona, Dokkies Theodore, Armando ‘The Bull’ Pedro and Shipanga dominating proceedings.

It then came as a surprise when Bob Seibeb, who swapped the Blue Waters white jersey for the Tigers blue, thundered in the Ingweinyama equalising goal past a clearly surprised Emmanuel ‘Sparks’ Gottlieb, who replaced Willem Ashipembe in the Blue Waters goal.

Seibeb’s goal came against the run of play, but Tigers were gradually gaining momentum in the match, with Gabes Christoph, Kummy Uumati, Dankie ‘Kanyas’ Veongara, Alu Hailonga, Seun Taylor, Oubaas Mokwena and Foresta Nicodemus rolling back the years with some silky skills on the ball.

On the flanks, Sem ‘Mito’ Emvula kept the Blue Waters defence busy, while the introduction of Pedro, who looked young and lively, caused all sorts of problems to the Tigers’ back four.

The match maintained its excellent shape right to the end, with the enthusiastic crowd obviously enjoying the soccer, judging from their loud cheering from the stands.

The football on the field was so tempting that yours truly also made a late introduction to the playing field. However, old age clearly took its toll, with the head and body clearly not coordinating perfectly as in the good old days when play was characterised by speed and trickery.

The match appeared bound for a draw before Pedro, who used to be a rampant forward with Blue Waters, powered a glancing header into the Tigers’ net, with goalie Andjamba beaten for the second time to bring the final score to 2-1.

Blue Waters legend Aupapa ‘Bazooka’ Shipanga received a big applause from both benches when he took to the field. Shipanga, who was a hard-working fullback for The Birds during his heyday, also went on to coach the Shandumbala Boys.

The banter that accompanied the thrilling encounter brought back a flood of memories of the times when the two giants of Namibian football used to electrify their supporters, who could be treated to a return match between the Beautiful Birds and Ingweinyama when the latter celebrate their 90th anniversary in Windhoek next year.

Meanwhile, Blue Waters also celebrated their 80th anniversary in style, with a gala dinner at the Kuisebmond Stadium later on Saturday night.

The glamorous event was attended by several Namibian personalities, including home affairs minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana; Walvis Bay Mayor Immanuel Wilfred, chairman of Blue Waters and councillor of the Walvis Bay Urban constituency Hafeni Ndemula, Simon Salomon, MD of Langer Heinrich Mine; the family of the founder of Blue Waters, Daniel Simbambi; and former legends of the team like Titus Shilongo, Tommy Uushona, Jerry Shikongo, Bonnetti Niilenge, Lucas ‘Aupapa’ Hipondoka, Ranga Lucas, Slugger Iimbili, Lemmy Narib, Alu Hummel, Theu Amadhila, Japhet Hellao and Hendrick Davids, who led the club to their biggest success in the modern era.

Meanwhile, Johnny ‘JJD’ Doeseb, who was invited in his capacity as chairman of the Namibia Premier League, surprised friend and foe alike when he said that he will soon announce a new sponsor for the beleaguered domestic football league.

The memorable event was indeed an entertaining success during dark times for Namibian football, thanks to the sound organisational skills of Mandume King Muatunga and his evidently capable team who served up a stunning event.

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