Celebrating a life journey well navigated…Farewell to ‘Copper Ace’…RIP – Salomon Mandume ‘Licky’ Gideon 1958 – 2026

*The Namibian sport fraternity woke up to the devastating news about the sudden death of Benfica Football Club stalwart Mandume ‘Licky’ Gideon. The retired defensive midfielder died in his hometown Tsumeb, after losing a long battle against illness. *

*His shock death follows short on the heels of club captain Mahuna Iyambo, joined by prominent club evergreens in Heaven; Puma Shinuna, Shomeya Sam, Karel ‘Tateiks’ Kanyemba, and former Provincial teammates; Bryan Greaves, Norries Goraseb, Alu Hummel, Doc Hardley, George Gariseb, Pieces Damaseb, and homeboy Dahle Stephanus, in that sequence. *

*Legends of the caliber of Mandume are generally not mourned, they are celebrated for the joy, happiness, incredible legacy, and positive impact they leave behind in the lives of countless individuals through genuine love and sacrifices. *

*New Era Sport now has the distinct honour to pay dignified tribute to this unsung football legend Gideon, a great bloke of commendable mannerism who have selflessly dedicated his entire life to the beautiful game of football, proudly represented his beloved motherland at Inter-Provincial level with distinction. *

Without a shadow of doubt, one of the finest talents to have ever emerged from the fertile Maize Triangle, Mandume Gideon, famously known as ‘Licky’ in social circles, was no ordinary footballer. The much-adored, versatile, tallish midfielder was the heartbeat of Nomsaouba’s giants, Benfica Football Club, effortlessly pulling the strings in the middle of the park for the blue-and-white-striped outfit.

A dedicated one club man, Bro Licky was a founding member of Nomsaouba outfit Benfica Football Club for one season, when he was transferred to the city of bright lights (Windhoek) in 1982. He found temporary refuge with Tigers FC, where he immediately settled well, bossing the midfield with the precision of a seasoned butcher.

His impressive display in Ingwe’s engine room caught the eyes of the wide awake national selectors. The cool as a cucumber towering versatile midfielder was rewarded with a call up to the South West Africa (SWA/Namibia) Currie Cup team.

There’s an old saying that home is always where the heart is. Well, the kindhearted midfield kingpin was no exception to this old adage. The silky midfielder retreated home to be reunited with his former teammates at parent club Benfica, where he continued from where he has left off.

He played a pivotal role in steering ‘Fika-Fika ’ to victory in the lucrative Metropolitan Life Knockout Cup final against pre-tournament favourites Black Africa in 1987. As if that were not enough, a complete package of an athlete, his hard-to-miss impressive display in the middle of the park propelled Benfica to another historic milestone when the fired-up Nomtsoub side clinched the Novel Ford Cup.

Benfica dispatched giant killers Sorrento Bucks in the final, soon afterwards. He was also a gold medalist when ‘Fika-Fika ’ shared the spoils with local rivals Monaco in the final of the annual Easter Cup in 1990. Shockingly, Licky might be one of the most underrated midfielders of all time, but the strongly built midfield general will go down as the greatest footballer to have pulled the blue and white striped jersey s over his head.

Meanwhile, a wave of condolence messages have been flooding social media from former Inter-Provincial teammates and opponents bidding farewell to the big-frame football icon. Parent team Benfica, through club chairman Lance Hauuanga, also weighed in with a touching tribute for arguably the most decorated player in the history of the blue and white stripe outfit.

‘Benfica FC extend our deepest condolences to the Gideon, Shikongo, and Kasheshe kaShipena, bereaved families for the sad passing of our dear friend, club legend, and dearest brother Mandume Licky Gideon. Licky was more than just a footballer, a true gentleman on and off the field, a dedicated family man, a hardworking professional, and a man who never shied away from responsibilities.

‘He gave his all on the playing field and will certainly leave behind unforgettable memories and a long-lasting legacy that will be permanently inked in the history of our beloved club, including the wider football-loving community. His death has brought an end to the pain and hard-to-ignore suffering the brother endured in recent years battling illness.

Nevertheless, we take comfort knowing that he may now rest peacefully, freed from pain. To meme Nangula, children, grandchildren and the entire Gideon family please rest assured that Benfica Football Club mourns with you in this dark hour of need and sorrow. We share in your grief whilst celebrating the life and immeasurable contribution of a great man of substance who selflessly shared and touched many lives inside and outside the football pitch.

‘Rest well, Licky; your trusted togs might have been packed away for good, but your legacy and immense contribution towards the overall growth of the game will never be forgotten, let alone erased from our memories. May the soul of Salomon Mandume Licky Gideon rest in eternal peace’, reads the statement from Benfica FC, Verbatim.

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