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Ode to former Orlando Pirates star Eric Muinjo

THE Namibian football fraternity woke up to the sad news of the death of Eric Muinjo – former player of the mighty Orlando Pirates and junior national team coach. Muinjo died of Covid-19 on Tuesday.

I was still a laaitie when I first saw Eric playing for the highly entertaining Pirates in the late 70s. He may not have had the flair of the more exciting stars like Norbertus ‘Norries’ Goraseb, Allu Hummel, Brian Greeves, Ambrossius ‘Six Mabone’ Vyff and the flamboyant Doc ‘Samora’ Hadley, but his straightforward approach to the game was eye-catching.

What Muinjo lacked in flair and skills he complemented with his hard work and determination.

In fact, one could rightfully say that with Muinjo covering at the back, Norries Goraseb had the luxury of entertaining the crowd with his bag of tricks, knowing he had sufficient cover at the back if he lost possession of the ball.

The two had a telepathic understanding with Goraseb always opening up the left flank by cutting inside – only to free Muinjo at the right moment to unleash his trademark thunderous shots with devastating effect to the opposing goalkeeper.

Who can ever forget Muinjo’s marauding runs down the left flank of the Katutura Sea Robbers as he launched attack after attack into the opposition half with speed and determination.

His consistent and above-average performances for his beloved Pirates did not only catch the eye of football fans around the country, as he was recognised with the pre-independence national team selectors who drafted him into than Suidwes Span – that competed in the Currie Cup and the Impala Cup.

Richo, as Muinjo was popularly known, will be best remembered for his solitary goal that won Pirates their first major trophy when they defeated Black Africa in 1978 Mainstay Cup final.

Pirates almost repeated the same feat in 1979 when they defeated SKW FC 5-3 in the final of the same competition only to be famously robbed of a win afterwards for apparently arriving late for the high octane encounter.

The left-footed defender was responsible for a little bit of history to become, together with midfield hard man Bertus Damon, the first two black players to have joined a previously white club Ramblers FC in 1983.

Being the dedicated person that he is Muinjo made his family and friends in particular, and the Namibian in general, proud once again when he became the first person from our country to qualify for the A Licence – the highest coaching licence – in Leipzig, Germany, in 1990.

The former MH Greef Primary School pupil, returned to Pirates after completing his coaching licence where he played under chairman Patrick Mabos Vries, who described Muinjo as one of the most disciplined players to play for the Katutura Buccaneers ever.

His coaching prowess was finally put to test when he was first appointed with the national under-20 side in 1995 where he helped shape the futures of former Brave Warriors stars like Erastus Gariseb, Jerry Zimmer, Paul Nugurib, Colin Benjamin and Johannes Congo Hindjou.

Hindjou, who went on to become probably the Brave Warriors most valuable player during his heyday, referred to Muinjo as a tactically rich person.

“I only started to understand things like tactical approach and positional discipline under the tutelage of coach Muinjo,” Congo said, adding that he had never met a person as success driven and committed as the late former Pirates star.

Muinjo coached the under-20 in the Westphalia Cup in Germany and the Helsinki Cup in Finland before he was elevated to the under-23 team in 2000.

“We were trailing 0-3 at half time away to Mozambique in a Cosafa Under-23 Cup match when he inspired us to one of the biggest comebacks ever staged by our junior national teams to a 3-all draw. And with the under-20s, who led us to the quarter-finals in Lesotho,” Hindjou said.

Hindjou and Muinjo’s paths crossed again when the former joined the Khomasdal outfit as a player while the latter was appointed coach in 2002.

The reunion was a happy one as Muinjo won the NFA Cup, Swabou Cup and Humphries Cup with the all-conquering Civilians.

“After football we also always met,” noted Hindjou. “He continuously gave me advice on life after football. A lot of his ex-players went to his house and we even knew his wife. It is very sad to lose a knowledgeable person like coach Muinjo but we must pray and remain strong.”

Born in Katutura, Windhoek, Muinjo is the second former high profile footballer to have succumbed to the deadly coronavirus recently after former African Stars winger Alfred Juku Tjazuko, died of the same cause in the last two months.

Funeral arrangements for the former Pirates star will be announced in due course.

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