Where did the mixed-race players go?

In as much as the nation has celebrated the transformation of rugby, cricket and tennis from being one-race sports, with the arrival of more black players, most people have been left to mourn the “extinction” of mixed-race players in our PSL.

Is it a case of bad administration, lack of funding for clubs or silent racism that has forced these players out of local football? The past saw a talented crop of such players hit the local scene with aplomb.

These include Henry McKop helping Zimbabwe Saints to the 1988 league championship and striking the first goal as the famous “Dream Team” drew 1-1 with Zambia in an Afcon 1994 qualifier, Carlos Max lifting the Independence Trophy with Caps United in the early 1990s, Craig Payne starring for Highlanders and Motor Action, to the days of Wesley “Mapayipi” Gilbert running up and down the Dynamos and national team left back position, mixed race players played a role in shaping our game.

That was not all. Henry’s brother, Pernell also starred as a goalkeeper for Saints and Bosso. There was also Bruce Grobbelaar, Wayne Albertyn, Derreck Odwod, George “TNT” Rollo, Charlie White, Matt Bismarck, Graham Boyle, Bethal Salis, Hedley Layton, Joey Antipas, Charlie Jones, Majid and Mike “Mabhurugwa” Abrahams, Derrick Petrie, Owen Moodley, Goosie Galloway, Allen Moodley, Farid Mohamed, Maxwell Joseph, Max de Souza, Vince and Miguel Lemming, Donovan Laurie, Adrian “Butch” Wallace, Lawrence Holland and Zata Govender. The list is endless, but very few remain in our PSL today and none has made as big an impact since Gilbert left the fold at the turn of the millennium.

The relegation of Arcadia United seems to have been the end of such wonderful era in our game.The Zimbabwean recently reached out to some of these celebrated yesteryear stars, who expressed a similar worry.

“It’s difficult for me to say what could be keeping today’s coloured players from taking football as a career as we did during our time,” said former national Under-23 goalkeeper, McKop.

“One of the most important things to note about back then is that we used to be employed elsewhere and playing soccer, for which we trained in the evenings, would give us an additional income. The junior leagues and school structures also helped bring about some really good coloured players in the late 70’s, where you had clubs like Callies, Queens, Old Miltonians and Rovers. There was an influx of coloured players into these clubs and then at the time of Independence, many of us joined clubs in our suburbs.”

The new clubs were BG Cosmos Barham Green, TK United in Trenance, Thorngrove United and Rangemore, for those in Bulawayo.

“Cosmos, TK and Thorngrove all played in the ZIFA lower division leagues and that was where we were spotted and moved on to play for big clubs like Highlanders, Zimbabwe Saints, Eagles and Olympics,” he added.

McKop concurred that underdevelopment could have pushed today’s mixed race players out of the local league.

“Right now, I don’t think that there are enough structures to develop and nurture players through the age groups, so many miss the most important phase of their development, that being their foundation. We used to have that and it stood us in good stead as we progressed through the age groups. Being the only coloured player during my days at Highlanders, Saints and Eagles, my ability gave me acceptance with my teammates and there was never a time when my colour was a disadvantage. The only thing was that you needed was being flawless in your performance as the fans let you know when you made a mistake, but overall I was very comfortable,” he said.

McKop also shared how his son used to be involved in football, but chose to pursue education at a later stage. “My son Jodene was a goalkeeper and I was proud to go and watch him play amateur league in Johannesburg and Cape Town, but he later chose to do a degree. If he were to play football today, I would still support him, as I want him to be happy in whatever he does.”

Max expressed sadness at the absence of coloured players in the local football scene. “We enjoyed football when coloured players also contributed to it and I am not pleased with their absence. I don’t know what’s wrong for them to continue shunning football, but ZIFA should also try to address the issue as the coloured race can also play a pivotal in the development and success of our football. Football administrators should go to grassroots level and address the root cause of this,” said the former Caps United skipper and Dream Team defender.