During the 1960s, despite having no TV, we adored international soccer stars. Just like today. Ron Springett – English acrobatic goalkeeper, Pele, Mane Garrincha, George Best (Irish legend) and Eusebio the Mozambican. We, children, exaggerated his strengths. One yarn “confirmed” Eusebio had a kicked a ball so hard that it killed a goat!
When I was in Latin America, I would hear Brazilians insist “chenga” (dribbling) master, Garrincha, was better than Pele. Nevertheless, indiscipline (alcoholism) brought early demise in 1983, aged only 49.
So what?
Rewind to 1967-68 Arusha primary schools’ competition season. Venue? Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium. Kaloleni (where I was) versus St Theresa (rivals). Our best player -we nicknamed Garrincha- left us “gobsmacked” (speechless). Thanks to him, Kaloleni won many matches.
In 1988, at the famous Maracana stadium, Argentina against Brazil. Exciting players, Bebeto, Dunga, Romario (Brazil) and Diego Maradona for Argentina!
A group of us foreigners cheering Maradona -throughout- had to leave the stadium early, in fear of our lives. Watching Maradona is a “once in a life time” experience! Yes, we had to dash off! Maradona, reminded us, you do not cheer Argentina -in Brazil.
Fast forward 2000’s.
Emirates Stadium, London. Arsenal (“The Invisibles”) and Thierry Henry. Arsenal fans chanting “Red Army!” and “Va! Va! Voom!”
What has endeared me to Arsenal throughout the years, is lack of animosity. I attended matches where “family tickets” were reduced to just 10 pounds – Tshs 35,000 approx- children included. Very cheap. Arsene Wenger revolutionised Arsenal.
Sports Reporter, Jordan Jarret-Bryan wrote in 2024: “Arsenal Football Club have had a very unique relationship with their black supporters- home and abroad- over the last years.”
In his book, “Black Arsenal” (2024), Prof Clive Nwonka argues, Arsenal is the club with most black fans, globally.
In 2009, Kenyan, Suleiman Omondi (29), hanged himself after Arsenal lost to Manchester United.
This has not come easily.
Black players in Europe endured fierce racism. Speaking to BBC recently, Roland Gregoire (67) – star of 1970s- said he and his family suffered physical racism despite playing well for Sunderland.
Gregoire, is an example of pioneers who paved way for future black icons, e.g. Rio Ferdinand (Man United), Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Ian Wright (Arsenal, 1990s) to Bukayo Saka, in 2026.
