Gervatius Uri-Khob – every goalkeeper's worst nightmare

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa WINDHOEKDuring the 80s, a gifted left footer was rising up the Namibian football ranks.Goalkeepers avoided catching balls struck by the powerful Gervatius 'Gerros' Uri-Khob in fear of being left with broken fingers. Some called him 'The Bomber' because of his ability to kick the ball with enormous speed and power.He remains one of the few players who played for Tsumeb-based football club Chief Santos for his entire career.Feared“They feared my left foot and I would tell my opponents (goalkeepers) that you must catch at own risk. “The fact that many feared my powerful shot gave me confidence and that actually made me a stronger player than I would have been,” Uri-Khob reminisced. The former Chief Santos and Brave Warriors forward scored countless penalties because goalkeepers would often move out of the way of his kicks.“Sometimes the keeper would just run out and I would pass the ball in the net. Now that was fun.” Early daysBorn on 3 April 1972, Uri-Khob began his football career when Namibia was still under colonial rule.He had no chance to play beyond Namibian borders as his mother feared for the worst.“As a teenager, I could have gone on to play in South Africa or other countries but my mother never wanted that.“She always told me that I will probably go and die if I travel to these other countries.” Heeding his mother's wishes, the player remained at Chief Santos, and retired in 2005.National teamUri-Khob began his national team career at under-16 level before joining the senior team.“This was a chance I was given by former coach Shepherd Murape, and I took it.”He was part of the team that qualified for the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations in Burkina Faso, and was on the scoresheet for the country's 3-3 Afcon draw against Angola the same year.The best match The player said despite playing in many memorable matches, one that stands out above the rest took place in 1997.“This match was a qualifier to the Africa Cup of Nations and I was just on another level that day.“We needed a draw against Gabon in order to qualify and I earned my team a penalty which Congo Hindjou scored.“I can say that was an emotional day for me because we sealed a place to our first nations cup and that is why it remains very special for me.”Married for 10 years with three sons, two of whom have followed in their father's football footsteps, the former player now works as an electrical technician in the northern parts of the country.“I also own a football academy in Tsumeb which is host to 160 players, including my two sons,” he said proudly.

Gervatius Uri-Khob – every goalkeeper's worst nightmare

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Namibian Sun 2026-06-08

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Gervatius Uri-Khob – every goalkeeper's worst nightmare

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Namibian Sun 2026-06-08

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