By Satish Sekar © Satish Sekar (July 16^th 2021)

Motaung’s Start

Tomorrow evening Kaizer Motaung’s creation will play for the right to wear a Champions League star on their jersey in Casablanca against nine-times champions Al Ahly. It’s been a long journey for a South African football icon. Born in 1944 Kaizer Motaung was just 16 when he became Orlando Pirates’ youngest star. He had to leave school to play.

By 1963 he was an established star, but Apartheid was becoming entrenched. Clubs were forced to let non-white players go. The young Motaung stood out. By 1968 he was ready to establish himself abroad. Former West Ham United player, Phil Woosnam, the new coach of the Atlanta Chiefs, in the USA’s North American Soccer League, was interested in recruiting in Africa. Trials were arranged in Zambia. Motaung sailed through them but the role of a now third tier Zambian club in helping him is largely forgotten.

Mufulira’s Blackpool’s Role

Mufulira Blackpool joined the Northern Rhodesia Football Association’s National Football League in 1963, a year after the NFL started. They played an important in the country’s Liberation Football. Football helped to destroy the white supremacy that colonialism was built on. Mufulira Blackpool won the Castle Cup on their debut in the NFL.

Meanwhile, they allowed Motaung to play, staying match fit and ready to impress. He did so. In Atlanta he found Zambian stars Fred Mwila Snr and Emment Kapengwe already with Atlanta Chiefs. In fact, the late Howard Mwikuta had gone first. He played in 1968 too and then went into community training before joining the Dallas Tornado in 1969.

Starring Role

Motaung impressed in 1968. He was the Rookie of the Year. He continued to impress, scoring 16 goals in as many appearances in the following year.

But he wanted to return to South Africa. However, Apartheid thwarted his ambitions. His attempts to help his former team Orlando Pirates failed, forcing him to establish his own team.

The Return

In 1970 Kaizer Chiefs was born. He promised to play players and kept his word. He also helped the Pirates players the Buccaneers were forced to let go. The club grew and a storied rivalry grew into the Soweto Derby. Kaizer Chiefs became one of the most successful clubs in South African football.

Motaung played a crucial role in establishing the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) in 1995.                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Tomorrow night a small part of Zambia’s Copperbelt will watch in anticipation, proud of the role their club played in the rise of the Khosi Nation.