Tackling is an art – ‘Bricks’ Tjikurunda
Former Life Fighters and Brave Warriors defender Oscar ‘Bricks’ Tjikurunda says tackling was an art he really enjoyed. He says he may not have been a big guy, but he was a tough player.
“Some people described me as being rough, but others would again tell you I was just a hard tackler,” he says.
The former Paresis Secondary School pupil, who played his entire football career for his childhood team Life Fighters, says he hardly ever got a red ticket during a match.
Tjakurunda started playing organised football for the under-11 side of Herero Primary School, now known as Orwetoveni Primary School at the age of 10.
“I’ve been a defender right from the start, apart from an occasional appearance in midfield,” he says.
“It was either right-back or centre-back for me. I was not among the most skilful players in my team, but I sure knew how to stop a forward player in his tracks. One great attribute I had as a defender was the ability to read my opponent and that made defending easy.”
It was only after he went to Paresis Secondary School that the future star started to understand the methodology of football.
“I was one of the lucky ones who benefited immensely from the football brain of coach Herman Katjiuongua, who was also my teacher at Paresis,” Tjikurunda says.
But things were not always easy for him.
Oscar ‘Bricks’ Tjikurunda (front row, second right) pictured with the Namibian under-23 team during a courtesy call by former prime minister Hage Geingob and former NFA president Peter Damaseb. Photo: Conrad Angula
“It took me at least a year before I could play in the first team, which was really a mammoth task to break into. The school was full of exceptional players. During the same time I was also deemed ready to play for Life Fighters, which is our family team.”
Tjikurunda says there was no way he could turn down an opportunity to play for the purple and white outfit.
His mother played for the Fighters netball team, while his father turned out for the soccer team.
“I only know one team and that is Life Fighters, and I’ve only played for them until I retired due to a nagging ankle injury,” he says.
“I can proudly say I was one of the most reliable players of Life Fighters. I really played my heart out for that team . . . What people saw me doing for my team I owe to the national team. I’ve learnt a lot with the Brave Warriors.”
Tjikurunda reached two Windhoek Lager Namibia Football Association (NFA) Cup finals with ‘Kahirona’, as Life Fighters are affectionately known.
They were losing finalists against Chief Santos at Otjiwarongo, while they also came out second best against former Namibian cup kings Black Africa at Independence Stadium at Oshakati.
“My consistent good showing in the backline for both my school and club did not go unnoticed, as the junior national team selectors started circling. Soon I found myself in the company of other promising young players, like striker George Dlamini, defender Amos Shiyuka and winger Collin Benjamin, who today is the coach of the senior national team,” he says.
“We even had a memorable trip to Germany where we engaged our counterparts from the Westphalia region. Most of us were later elevated to the Olympic Team, which is the under-23 team. We historically held a star-studded South African Olympic Team to a goalless draw.”
Oscar Tjikurunda (left) and Etoo Kaure were part of the 47 coaches who attended the NFA C-Licence coaching course in Windhoek recently. Photo: Contributed
The former Paresis pupil also represented the under-23 team during a regional under-20 tournament in Lesotho before he was promoted to the Brave Warriors team.
“To be called up to the Brave Warriors was undoubtedly the highlight of my football career,” Tjikurunda says.
“My first match was a baptism of fire against Angola during the second leg of the Cosafa Cup final. We tried our level best, but unfortunately it was never going to be our day, and we lost 2-1 via a freak goal at Windhoek’s Independence Stadium.”
The no-nonsense defender went on to win six more caps for his country under coaches Rusten Mogane and Peter Ueberjahn, with some coming against Egypt, Benin, Nigeria and Seychelles.
Tjikurunda, who received his first senior national team call-up in 1999, was like a cover for Mohammed Ouseb (who was plying his trade at Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa) at the national team, and he would always be called up if the latter was not available.
WORK, FAMILY
The former right-back has three children.
Tjikurunda is the proud holder of an NFA C-coaching licence and is currently assisting his beloved Life Fighters, who are campaigning in the first division.
“I am still involved with the beautiful game. Once a footballer, always a footballer. I am assistant to Kulla Kaeka, who is the head coach. I am actually co-assisting with Spike Kavetuna, who is also an excellent upcoming coach,” the former defender says.
He says he has started his own development academy, called Orwetoveni Sports Academy.
“It caters for players between 13 and 17. We only train twice a week, while I spent most of my time with Life Fighters.”
Tjikurunda’s advice to young players is to be disciplined and committed.
“Stay away from the destructive things of the world, and no matter what, never give up on your dreams of becoming a top player.”
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