By Satish Sekar © Satish Sekar (November 1^st 2021)

The Last Link to Mufulira’s Football Pioneers Passes

Mufulira great McLean Kabwe was laid to rest on October 31st. Kabwe was the last surviving player of the black Copperbelt team and the storied Mufulira Mine Team of the 1950s. Kabwe captained the Mufulira Mine Team as it played the precursor of Liberation Football and then transitioned the team into the most titled club in Zambian history, Mufulira Wanderers, which dominated Zambian football in the 1960s and 70s.

Kabwe mentored a generation of Zambian greats. He marshalled the defence from the number 5 position. In 1957 George Sikazwe came through. Zambia’s longest serving captain Dickson Makawza joined as Kabwe was finishing his career. Mufulira Wanderers great Elijah Mwale joined around the same time, along with midfielder Penius Chirwa.

Kabwe’s role in the Mufulira Mine Team and nurturing talent to become Mighty Mufulira Wanderers was immense. Softly spoken off the pitch Kabwe was a giant on it. He was the base of the spine of his teams. Kabwe retired before independence, but he played a crucial part in Northern Rhodesia’s black team and helping the development of those players for Zambia.

He played in the era of Liberation football, retiring as Mufulira Wanderers’ domination began. But his role of marshalling the defence and nurturing the next generation was crucial. Suffering from respiratory problems linked to heart issues Mufulira Wanderers proved mighty as they assisted him over these medical issues, helping his niece tackle them as Kabwe had done to opponents imperiously throughout his stellar career.

The Best of Teammates and Opponents

Kabwe didn’t have the longevity of Roan United great Ginger Pensulo, who sadly died in April. Although they were opponents mostly, their stories were linked.

They were teammates on the black Copperbelt team’s tour of South Africa. Organised by Johannesburg’s Bantu FA, which was established in 1931, the Copperbelt team that featured the legendary Samuel ‘Zoom’ Ndhlovu, among others, the flair and skill wowed South African fans.

Pensulo top-scored with nine goals and was the star, but the flair players needed a strong defence to shine. McLean Kabwe was the anchor of that defence. Mufulira’s softly spoken giant – the last link between Mufulira Wanderers and its predecessor Mufulira Mine FC – has passed on. His influence on Zambian football will be sorely missed.