Andrew Watson: The 'most influential' black footballer for decades lost to history

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  By Andrew Aloia BBC Sport Last updated on 11 October 2021 11 October 2021 . From the section Football Watson was a trailblazer who helped transform how football was played There are two murals of black footballers facing one another across an alleyway in Glasgow. One helped shape football as we know it, the other is Pele. Andrew Watson captained Scotland to a 6-1 win over England on his debut in 1881. He was a pioneer, the world's first black international, but for more than a century the significance of his achievements went unrecognised. Research conducted over the past three decades has left us with some biographical details: a man descended of slaves and of those who enslaved them, born in Guyana, raised to become an English gentleman and famed as one of Scottish football's first icons. And yet today, 100 years on from his death aged 64, Watson remains something of an enigma, the picture built around him a fractured one. His grainy, faded, sepia image evokes many differen

Coach Pitso Musimane what a job well done for Bafana Bafana

I would like to complement Coach Pitso Musimane for the job well done yesterday. The team that he selected for Ivory Coast game was even encouraging the people to watch it playing. Unlike the Afcon qualifier team which was full of the local derby players which we are tired of watching. The team had depth and you could see even their opponents who were stars from all the filthy rich clubs in Europe found it difficult to defeat us. The guys were equal to the standard in all the areas defence, midfield and striking force. The second half we took the game to their side and it paid dividends we got the gaol which we needed.

We were standing a good chance to win that game. Next time we playing other countries with less quality players like the Ivory Coast, chances are win situation. It’s so unfortunate that coach, you only woke up after the damage was done. However we are with you if the work on the pitch is showing progress. When the performance is not satisfactory we are made at you. All kinds of criticisms will be labelled on you, critics are there to make you strong and review why the game went wrong and you will improve from that.


Look now we have hope for the future, as supporters we can stand and Brazil here we come Afcon has happened and we are healing. The international players showered their presents, Kagiso Dikgatshe, the captain Pineer, Tsepo Masilela. The game was played well. I hope Tsepo get well soon because I believe if was in the game his impact was going to be felt. He is such an influential player. Thank you for the effort and positive results, we support you and wish the nation is going to be proud at the next world cup. We need to silence those who criticise and prove that Bafana Bafana can do wonders.

Editor Joseph Vhudzijena

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