Boot-to-boot with the versatile ‘The Black Arrow’ Asia Katjeuru Tjetjinda aka ‘Okatenda kozo Mbandje’
Asia Katjeuru Tjetjinda aka ‘Okatenda kozo Mbandje’
Having started his flawless football journey with uncompromising giant killers Katutura outfit, Hungry Lions Football Club, famously known as ‘The Brave Lions of Judah’, former Black Africa Football Club tough-as-steak fullback Asia Katjeuru Tjetjinda, will go down in history as one of the most underrated defenders of his generation.
From an early age, the pocketsize hard-tackling and versatile footie showed flashes of greatness, and it came as no surprise when he eventually landed in the good company of football legends, sharing the same dressing rooms with the likes of Smithley Engelbrecht, Lucky Boostander, Lucky Richter, Indies Damaseb, Kandas Paulino, Bigman Schultz, Bernard Diocothle, Tambai Adams, and some of the greatest footballers of his generation.
The tireless football crazy defender got his football career off the ground with overly ambitious Hungry Lions Football Club, but was somehow hamstrung by his fairly young age, worsened by lack of height. His small frame weighed heavily against him being considered fit enough to be thrown into the mix of things in the dogeat-dog industry of the country’s flagship football league.
Nonetheless, there was no doubt about his amazing football talent and ability, notwithstanding his astonishing unmatched will to win. Despite his rookie tag, Bro Asia would go on to win several top accolades with Black Africa, and his name was rightfully and deservedly imprinted in the category of senior squad members during his illustrious career with the ‘King of Knockout Cups’.
Like any other talented athlete, Asia displayed an aura of amazing self-confidence, which was often mistaken for arrogance. Uncompromising, punctuated by an unquenchable will to win at all costs, Asia had a big engine defying his tiny frame, and was always prepared to throw his body on the line and roll with the punches whenever the situation demanded.
He joined the Brave Lions of Judah almost at the same time when the maroon and white-strip outfit went on an aggressive staff overhaul, with a significant number of youngsters brought on board. Highly gifted young blood spearheaded by box-tobox midfield general Jeff Tjitemisa, Ringo Skrywer, Isaac Kavari, Bones Kandjou, Barry Rukoro and few others were brought on board to bolster an ageing squad.
At the time, most of the youngsters in the new look team were still scholars pursuing their academic aspirations at various higher learning institutions. When Asia completed his studies at the Okakarara Secondary School in Otjozondjupa region, he found himself a slave in Otjiwarongo where he joined local giants Life Fighters Football Club.
His arrival at Kahirona coincided with that of many highly-gifted youngsters such as the cool-as-a-cucumber football playing centre back Oscar Tjkurunda, Barnes Angula, Mogale Naruseb, Allion Gowaseb, Steven Mbemukenga, Harry Kuhanga, Gerry Keister and the free scoring Lesley Nganjone aka ‘Hello Baby.’ They say diamonds come in small packages, and Asia certainly fitted the bell perfectly well, and should be included in that conversation. He cemented his place in Kahirona’s starting line-up, marshalling the rear guard alongside Oscar Tjikurunda, Dave ‘Orutavi’ Tuaanda and young overlapping fullback Steven Mbemukenga.
His next stop was the city of bright lights (Windhoek), but instead of re-joining his parent team Hungry Lions, which has in the meantime been relegated to the lower tier league, the hard-tackling fullback joined forces with Katutura giants, Black Africa.
It was indeed at the Gemengde outfit that the young energetic overlapping fullback rose to prominence, operating alongside veteran campaigners Indies Damaseb, Fighter Louis, Bigman Schultz, Tommy Adams, and Giddies Gawanab. Despite his small stature, Asia became a vital cog in the BA’s rear guard, and his name was always amongst the first on the team sheet. Interestingly, what made him a cut above his peers and stand head and shoulders above the rest, was his unbelievable versatility, complimented by awesome endurance second to none. In fact, Asia could fit into any outfield position without having to shed an ounce of sweat whenever called upon.
After all, he started out as a prolific forward for the ‘Brave Lions of Judah’, and though he was converted into a defensive midfielder at ‘Kahirona’, he was finally shifted to the more demanding fullback position at BA, a position he held aloft and was handsomely rewarded with the captain’s armband. With age catching up, the no nonsense tough-tackling defender vacated the BA nest, and rejoined former club Life Fighters for a last throw of the dice before he hung up his boots.
RIP ‘Ou Rich’
Richard Keorapetse Moshosho 1944-2021
On a rather sad note, we would also like to pay tribute to an unheralded football personality, Richard Keorapetse Moshosho, famously known as ‘Ou Rich’, in social circles. The ever present, jolly, big frame ‘Ou Rich’, has fallen victim to the sword of the ruthless Covid-19 pandemic.
Needless to emphasise that ‘Ou Rich’ lived football and was a founder member of exciting Gemengde outfit, Eastern Jumpers Football Club. In all honesty, the game of football has become poorer without the face of the ever-present football fanatic. Go well, ‘Bro Ree’...May your amazing gentle soul rest in eternal peace in one piece.