JOHANNESBURG The Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) last week paid tribute to retired Zimbabwean goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar for his achievements in the game.In a statement from Zurich, the football world governing body named the former Warriors player among the best players from the continent to have played the game but whose achievements had been overlooked.
Because they were born in small countries, some great players never had the opportunity to play international football on the world’s greatest stages. Grobbelaar, however, can at least draw some consolation from his record of being the first African player to lift the European Cup, after his triumph with Liverpool in 1984, FIFA said on Wednesday.
Grobbelaar was mentioned alongside fellow Southern African-born player Kalusha Bwalya of Zambia and Liberias former world Footballer of the Year, George Weah.
The goalkeeper is one of the most popular players to emerge from the continent. His footballing career started with Bulawayo-based Highlanders FC before he was snatched by Durban City Football Club in South Africa, but left in a huff claiming to have been sidelined owing to his colour in this predominantly black team.
After a stint in Canada, he made a name for himself at English glamour club Liverpool who signed him for 250 000 on March 17 1981. Grobbelaar went on to play 627 first team games for the Merseyside, in a colourful career in which he won the hearts of many football followers with his eccentric and flamboyant style.
In 1984 he helped Liverpool to the European Cup after they beat Italys AS Roma. He also won The FA Cup, League Cup and league championship with the team.
Grobbelaar left Liverpool in mid-1994, transferring on a free to Southampton.
His career however was marred by accusations in 1994 of match fixing during his time at Liverpool to benefit a betting syndicate, after being caught on videotape discussing match-fixing. He was charged with conspiracy to corrupt, along with Wimbledon goalkeeper Hans Segers, Aston Villa striker John Fashanu and a Malaysian businessman, Heng Suan Lim.
They were cleared in 1997. After retirement, Grobbelaar had coaching stints in South Africa at Hellenic and Seven Stars. He is now based in Asia where he is a football commentator.
Post published in: Football