Football in Africa has found its own identity in the postindependence period, just on 60 years ago now.
But to think that the game only developed in Africa then, and that stars have only begun to emerge from the continent's pitches in the last six to seven decades, is to ignore the contribution made by Africa's early footballing pioneers.
Many of them have personal histories lost in colonial times, but they were ground breakers, knocking racist and colonial notions and establishing an identity and profile for Africans in the world sporting arena. They were also among the continent's early role models.
Senegalese Raoul Diagne played for France in the 1938 World Cup, winning the first of his 18 caps in 1931 when he became the first black footballer to compete for France. In the same squad at the 1938 tournament in France were Algerian-born Abdelkader Ben Bouali and Mario Zatelli, but neither were required by France on the field and never got to play in the tournament.
Larbi Ben Barak (right) was arguably the most famous African footballer to wear the colours of France - 17 times between 1938 and 1954. Casablanca born Ben Barek blazed a trail in European leagues, arriving at Marseille at the age of 20 and becoming an instant favourite with the fans for his skills. They nicknamed him 'the Black Pearl'. His career was interrupted by the onset of World War II but, after the conflict, he blossomed in Spain at Atletico Madrid, where his international fame spread.
This story is from the August 2024 edition of Soccer Club.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 2024 edition of Soccer Club.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
WORLD CUP DREAM BURNS BRIGHT
Neil Tovey Former Bafana Bafana captain
CONTINENTAL QUEENS
AS BANYANA BANYANA WAIT TO DEFEND THEIR TITLE AT THE WOMEN'S AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS, WE LOOK BACK AT THEIR PAST PERFORMANCES IN THE COMPETITION
TABLE TOPPERS
THE TOP 10 IN THE ALL-TIME PSL TABLE SINCE THE START OF THE 1996/97 SEASON MAKES FOR INTERESTING READING
WHO ARE BAYER LEVERKUSEN?
'Invincible' Bayer Leverkusen swept to a maiden German Bundesliga title in 2023/24. But who are they?
SET-PIECE SECRET
THE THROW-IN MAY SEEM A MUNDANE PART OF FOOTBALL, BUT THERE IS MUCH MORE TO IT THAN MEETS THE EYE
PSL SHARPSHOOTERS
AS THE NEW 2024/25 SEASON BEGINS, BOTH BRADLEY GROBLER AND PETER SHALULILE CAN TAKE AIM AT THE PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE'S GOALSCORING RECORD AS WE RUN DOWN THE TOP MARKSMEN SINCE 1996
BALANCING THE BOOKS
CAPE TOWN CITY HAVE TO FOREVER SELL PLAYERS TO BREAK EVEN. HERE ARE 11 TOP STARS THEY HAVE ALLOWED TO LEAVE IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS
INTO THE BIG TIME
CLINTON LARSEN HAS LED LITTLE KNOWN LIMPOPO CLUB MAGESI FC TO THE ELITE LEAGUE OF SOUTH AFRICAN FOOTBALL
REDEMPTION
THEMBINKOSI LORCH FACES ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT SEASONS IN HIS CAREER IN 2024/25
AFRICA'S PIONEERS
AFRICA'S INFLUENCE ON ELITE EUROPEAN FOOTBALL IS NOT A NEW THING