Johanes reportedly died at Rundu on Saturday following a short illness, just as Tops, which he recently guided to promotion to the Namibia Premier Football League, were about to play their final game of the season against arch-rivals Rundu Chiefs. Kashikola will be laid to rest this Saturday at Mpungu village. Cuca Tops chairman Herculano Mwenyo sent a message of condolence to the family and the club’s supporters.
Mwenyo described Johanes’ death as a shock and said his presence will be sorely missed. “As a club we are mourning, we have lost a very great leader. He was instrumental in most of our games, especially the away games we played against Oshikango Chiefs and Further Fighters, as well the home games against Ntunguru and Kanguru Black tops.
Those were his last games for us,” Mwenyo told Desert Radio this week. After their game against Rundu Chiefs, Johanes’ clubmates presented his bereaved family with his North East First Division title-winning gold medal. “It was really an emotional moment but we leave it in the hands of God,” Mwenyo said.
Life Fighters from Otjiwarongo were among the football clubs to show solidarity with the Cuca Tops family. “We pray that the Almighty comforts and strengthens the Kashikola family, his friends and former teammates at club and national level. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones and teammates at this trying time.
Rest in peace captain Shashi,” the Life Fighters statement reads. Fellow Rundu outfit Julinho.