REWIND A DERBY FOR THE AGES - AFRICAN WANDERERS VS AMAZULU

BY PRO PHILANI

Life was full of enjoyment in the 70s, 80s and 90s in central Durban, but more so when African Wanderers played their arch rivals, Usuthu. These two football clubs were traditional clubs formed by Zulu workers who moved to Durban to earn a better living. They were like the biblical story of Cain and Abel. One was loved by the kingdom, the other, unfortunately, not that much.

Walking down West Street - the most popular street in Durban back in the day - conversations were erupting at traffic lights, traditions and bragging rights were explicitly maintained. And those in mines, busses, trains were nothing compared to what usually went down in West Street! ‘Traffic light talk’ was a way most men from northern KwaZuluNatal used to introduce to, or help their youngsters distinguish

AFRICAN A DERBY OF THE AGES WANDERERS VS AMAZULU

Usuthu from Abaqulusi. When the traffic light turned green, old men would scream out aloud “aluwele Usuthu” meaning those who are Usuthu followers should cross the road, as green matched Usuthu colours. When the traffic light turns red, “abawele Abaqulusi” those who follow Wanderers, should do likewise, as red was the colour of Abaulusi.

Meaning of nicknames:

Usuthu is a war cry, associated with the royal household of the Zulu empire. Abaqulusi is a region in the north west of KwaZulu-Natal province. Abaqulusi can be loosely translated as ‘that [don’t sit, but] squat’. Of course, whenever African Wanderers were playing at Princess Magogo Stadium, Kings Park soccer stadium, King Zwelithini stadium or across the country, their fans were not allowed to sit down during matches. They were forced to squat for the entire 90 minutes. Anyone who sat would be accused of sitting on goals.

Administration:

1971, Usuthu replaced African Wanderers in the top league because of administrative issues which surrounded Abaqulusi. They won the league the following year. The issue never sat well with Abaqulusi faithful. AmaZulu were far more superior than Abaqulusi on the administration side. Usuthu had been unfortunate not to find a perfect balance between admin and footballing. They’re always spot on off the field, but not on the field.

On the field:

Usuthu challenged Transvaal teams. Coming to KwaZulu-Natal was never an easy task for outside teams. Each time the KwaZuluNatal derby came, Usuthu would emerge victorious. The African Wanderers boys would walk around the pitch showing great confidence, and the crowd in red would squat, blow whistles, and in deep voices sing “Mqulusi”. If you’re found seated as a man, anything from a slap to insults will follow you. Those African Wanderers watchmen didn’t want the culture of Abaqulusi and the meaning of ‘ukuqulusa’ to die.

The ‘green mambas’ on the other hand appealed more to the Zcultural side of the Zulus. Traditional Zulu wear, shields, knobkerries and spear, were carried whenever Usuthu played. Traditional songs were sung with exhurberance, as was traditional dancing, with women ululating the royal boys. In 1987, Usuthu returned to glory days under their favourite son, Clive Barker. Barker led Usuthu to both the Mainstay Cup final and Charity Spectacular final in which they lost both to Kaizer Chiefs. In 1990, Usuthu lost yet another final. This time, the Bob Save Super Bowl final [1-0] to Jomo Cosmos. They avenged their loss in 1992 by beating Chiefs 3-1 in the Coca-Cola Cup final. Usuthu always maintained

THESE TWO FOOTBALL CLUBS WERE TRADITIONAL CLUBS FORMED BY ZULU WORKERS WHO MOVED TO DURBAN TO EARN A BETTER LIVING.

its status despite changes in management or ownership of the club, but eventually lost their competitive edge mid- to end1990s, unlike rivals, Abaqulusi.

In 1985, Abaqulusi shocked naysayers when they reached the Mainstay Cup and lost to eventual winners, Bloemfontein Celtic 2-1. In the 1990s, under Gordon Igesund and Henri Cele, African Wanderers brought a new spark: first to challenge AmaZulu in the hearts of KZN people and also to challenge Transvaal teams. African Wanderers never ceased to beat Kaizer Chiefs of all teams. They will beat Chiefs in Durban, and lose a probable six matches in a row and have fa ew draws here and there. But come the AmaZulu match, Abaqulusi would become a brand new side. They never wanted to lose against, first AmaZulu, then Chiefs. Besides the fight and pride, Abaqulusi had only finished twice above Usuthu in the history of South African football.

Though both teams had a fair share of poor results on the field, Abaqulusi earned themselves the nickname, “yo-yo team” as the side always failed to avoid relegation. In the 1980s, AmaZulu were strong, and always finishing in respectable positions. In those days, Durban Bush Bucks had Calvin Petersen and Mlungisi Professor Ngubane, who was the star of the day and the biggest player in KZN. AmaZulu had the late ‘Sugar Ray’ Xulu, Mafa “Ace” Nduli, Joel “Fire” Faya, who were the stars in different eras. Abaqulusi had Samora Khulu, ‘Ten-Ten’ Nzimande, ‘Bizzah’ Dlamini in the 70s who were later poached by Chiefs.

African Wanderers continued to struggle against AmaZulu until the day the club disappeared off the the South African football scene.

The derby

There’s no doubt these two sides had an abundance of talent. Even today, the KZN province continues

to produce superstars for both local and international leagues. Ilanga newspaper played a huge role reporting on this derby. Radio Zulu [now Ukhozi FM] also had its fair share marketing and promoting this derby.

The derby was fiercely contested. KZN was divided. It was war on and off the pitch. Hostels, train stations, schools, would welcome debates of who was the best. Usuthu mostly had an upper hand and dictated the narrative of the derby.

KZN football was respected because of the achievement of AmaZulu in particular, when they won the league in 1972. Abaqulusi on the other hand never really took SA football by storm like their rivals, but had their presence felt whenever it was their day. Muthi played a psychological role in both camps. African Wanderers muti men were respected throughout the province, because the Abaqulusi region had ones who were well known. Nevertheless, it didn’t work in Abaqulusi’s favour. Usuthu dominated them, season in, season out. There are even stories of black cats, man-made thunder, man-made wind, which were credited to these muthi men, but they never changed results for Abaqulusi or brought any form of luck. Instead, Abaqulusi always went up and down, experienced boardroom fights and struggled for sponsorship.

At the stadium the cheer was loud: “Mqulusi! s’dindi somtshiki, angihleli ngiqulusile” while on the other it was “hebe!!! Usuthu! Usuthu olumabheshu ankone… “

This was football at its best. This was what men from the hostels were proud of. The songs, the praises, the dancing at the stadium defined their cultural heritage. Threatening to beat each other on the stands was like a game to them. Abaqulusi fans knew the best they’d come out with - whether at CJ Smith Stadium or Princess Magogo or King Zwelithini stadium - was a draw.

But who can forget the day a young kid from KwaMashu, straight from Umzuvele High School who scored a hat trick, and for the first time, Abaqulusi had beaten Usuthu convincingly by a whopping 6-0 margin at the now refurbished Kings Park Soccer and Athletic stadium. There was joy in the trains. The hostels were buzzing with joy. The ignored son of the kingdom had beaten the favorite son, convincingly. Abaqulusi enjoyed an upper hand for the first time, the pain of 1971 was forgotten. Being the second best in the province was no longer an issue, Abaqulusi were back to their best, one would think. But the usual came to haunt them again and they were subsequently relegated, and continued with their yo-yo status. Siyabonga ‘Bhele’ Nomvete, Sibusiso ‘Rhee’ Zuma and Phumlani Mkhize were the last trio to give AmaZulu a hard time.

Abaqulusi might be gone today, but history will always remember them. The KZN derby history will always remain as one of the most fiercely contested derbies in South Africa. Usuthu are still campaigning in the South African top flight football. The culture on the stands is still same, but against Arrows or Maritzburg United. Tthere’s no clash of heritage like there was when Abaqulusi were also boxing amongst the heavyweights. Ù

THE VOICE OF SOUTH AFRICAN FOOTBALL!

SOCCERZELA

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