Former footballers and referee pass on

FORMER Orlando Pirates and national football team central defender Salathiel Ndjao passed away on Wednesday night.

Family members confirmed that Ndjao died in the Windhoek Central Hospital. He is said to have suffered a stroke, which necessitated his transfer from Walvis Bay to the Windhoek hospital on Tuesday.Ndjao is the older brother of another former national team player, Ronnie Kanalelo, who is now the goalkeeper coach for the Brave Warriors.Ndjao was a member of the first Namibian national team which played Spartak Moscow in an Independence celebration game at the Independence Stadium on March 21, 1990.He played for clubs such as Young Beauties of Keetmanshoop, Blue Waters and Eleven Arrows of Walvis Bay.He also had a brief stint with Tigers before moving to Orlando Pirates in the early 1980s.He served Pirates with distinction for many years after which he retired and moved back to the coast.Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced.* Meanwhile, African Stars Football Club has conveyed its condolences to the family of its former player Costa Lukas, who also passed away last week.Lukas was killed in a car accident between Windhoek and Okahandja.The club said it deeply regretted the loss of Lukas and wished his family strength on behalf of all the supporters and management of the club.There will be a memorial service for Lukas today as well, while several other services were held earlier in the week.Lukas will be buried at his hometown of Walvis Bay on Saturday.* The Namibia National Referees’ Committee yesterday also expressed its condolences to the family of former referee Frans Auchumeb, who passed away on August 7.Auchumeb was an active member of the referees committee since 1999.A statement by the comrefrees committee and the Namibia Football Association said they wished the family strength and faith in these testing times.Auchumeb will be buried on Saturday at the Pionierspark cemetery and the service will be held at the Lutheran Church in Katutura.Nampa and own reporterHe is said to have suffered a stroke, which necessitated his transfer from Walvis Bay to the Windhoek hospital on Tuesday.Ndjao is the older brother of another former national team player, Ronnie Kanalelo, who is now the goalkeeper coach for the Brave Warriors.Ndjao was a member of the first Namibian national team which played Spartak Moscow in an Independence celebration game at the Independence Stadium on March 21, 1990.He played for clubs such as Young Beauties of Keetmanshoop, Blue Waters and Eleven Arrows of Walvis Bay.He also had a brief stint with Tigers before moving to Orlando Pirates in the early 1980s.He served Pirates with distinction for many years after which he retired and moved back to the coast.Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced.* Meanwhile, African Stars Football Club has conveyed its condolences to the family of its former player Costa Lukas, who also passed away last week.Lukas was killed in a car accident between Windhoek and Okahandja.The club said it deeply regretted the loss of Lukas and wished his family strength on behalf of all the supporters and management of the club.There will be a memorial service for Lukas today as well, while several other services were held earlier in the week.Lukas will be buried at his hometown of Walvis Bay on Saturday.* The Namibia National Referees’ Committee yesterday also expressed its condolences to the family of former referee Frans Auchumeb, who passed away on August 7.Auchumeb was an active member of the referees committee since 1999.A statement by the comrefrees committee and the Namibia Football Association said they wished the family strength and faith in these testing times.Auchumeb will be buried on Saturday at the Pionierspark cemetery and the service will be held at the Lutheran Church in Katutura.Nampa and own reporter