I first time came in contact with Agnu in 1979 during our inaugural competitive soccer tournament at Sour Ground when he was playing soccer for Blue Razors an excellent team comprising all young and youthful players. The front zone of this team revolved around the bombastic shooter the late Cosme D’Souza from Arpora, central zone around their midfield maestro Tony Correia from Nagoa Bardez and the defense under their most dependable Agnu Fernandes who was capable of thwarting any attack from his opponents. He was extremely good on his right foot but also reliable on his left leg and could out beat any attacker in the aerial duel though he was pigmy in height but having very muscular legs as he was very well built physically. Untiring hero of his team he could run all over the field untiringly. It was here in the inaugural league cum knock out tournament that he caught the eyes of everyone.
Seen in the first picture on the left side is G.O.A. Maroons Team where standing 3rd from left is Agnu. Second photo on right ide is UG. Both the above teams were finalists for the Forest od Dean R.A.Trophy which was won by G.O.A. Maroons. Both the above photos are provided by Julio Cardoso.
Following year his team was disbanded along with Salmiya Youth and out of these two teams a totally new team was formed under Goan Overseas Association naming it as G.O.A. Maroons. When Maroons was formed Agnu was again central figure of this new outfit manning the right side of defense very intelligently and also firmly giving very little chance to his opponents to out beat him. I played along with him for Maroons for many years and I always found him accurate and dependable. Even if I moved up from the defense line, he used to tell me “you move up, I will see down” and he would take care of every opponent. During that period Maroons defense line was the best among all the teams and our Agnu played a very stellar role in this defenive wall. With him G.O.A. Maroons won many Trophies including the most coveted Forest of Dean R.A. Trophy at Ahmadi where in the semifinal we defeated the mighty Hubara comprising European and Kuwaiti players. This match was played under Floodlit stadium and Agnu as right back really played very well to earn us the much needed victory culminating into winning the final defeating UG. It was pleasure to play along with him since he was not only a good footballer but also a cool tempered player never losing his temper even if he was roughly fouled by his opponents.
As a human being beyond soccer arena, Agnu was a thorough gentleman, more on quieter side and always a shy type of a man. He was a very helpful by nature and thru his personal influence he helped many people in many ways including in providing jobs and that too without making any noise. He was a social worker by core but a silent social worker. In his death the game of soccer lost a very good footballer and Kuwait Goan community lost one of its excellent members. May his soul rest in peace and may the Heavenly God give courage to his wife and children to bear this great loss.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
