African football is in mourning: Zambian football legend McLean Kabwe, the last survivor of the black Copperbelt team that toured Johannesburg in 1959 at the request of the Bantu FA, died from heart complications in hospital in Mufulira on Thursday night.
Kabwe was an unheralded star of the tour, who marshalled the defence from the centre allowing the attacking stars to shine.
Banned from expressing their opinions about the shameful racism they encountered, these players became the heart and soul of Zambian football’s involvement in the liberation movement — an era where predominantly black footballers took on white supremacy and colonialism in their country. On April 18 2021 the great Ginger Pensulo died. His goal in April 1961, described by SA Football Association president Danny Jordaan as “the goal of hope”, played a part in opening the door to integrated football.
Pensulo led Roan United to a treble, including the league. Kabwe excelled a few miles away in Mufulira. Pensulo’s death in April left Kabwe as the last surviving player of the Copperbelt team that toured SA in 1959.“He was my friend, but he was a big man and he was my captain,” Mwale said, meeting up again with Kabwe.
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