Monday, January 20, 2014

Monday, January 6, 2014

Andries Maseko Passes


1979 video clip of Maseko's quickness & footwork

Andries "Six Mabone" Maseko

1955 - 2013

Andries Maseko, best known as Six Mabone, was born on 25 December 1955 in KwaThema. Maseko was born to Ephraim and Lettie Maseko (born 1914). Ephraim Maseko died before he turned professional in 1972.

Maseko was a South African football striker who played for Moroka Swallows, San Jose Earthquakes, Washington Diplomats and Phoenix Inferno.

In 1970, he joined Moroka Swallows from amateur club Harmed Stars at the age of 15. During a 1974 NPSL match against Umlazi Citizens, Maseko scored 8 goals in 13-1 win at the Sinaba Stadium, Daveyton.

He joined Washington Diplomats in 1978 and became one of the few South African black players in America alongside Abednigo Ngcobo, Jomo Sono, Kaizer Motaung and Patrick Ntsoelengoe. During his spell at Washington Diplomats, he was a teammate of Johan Cruyff.

Maseko left Washington Diplomats in 1982 and joined San Jose Earthquakes and played together with George Best. After leaving San Jose Earthquakes, he had a short spell at Phoenix Inferno before returning to South Africa to play for Benoni United.
Maseko passed away on 26 October 2013

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

El diablito de España: "The Best Player You’ve Never Heard Of"

On February 20, 1980, the Diplomats held a press conference to introduce their new "play maker and field general," as stated by Gordon Bradley. Juan Jose Lozano had just signed the most lucrative contract in team history, up to that time.

Within a month, however, the Dips added Wim Jansen and Johan Cruyff, both of whom had demonstrated leadership qualities and creative athletic ability on the world stage. In December the team would cease operations.

Like his time in Washington, Lozano's career never truly reached it's full potential. He suffered a career ending injury in April, 1987. The link at the bottom of the page provides an excellent overview of his football career.


Lozano's biggest goal as a Diplomat came against the Cosmos on August 17, 1980, at the Meadowlands. With this header, he tied the match, 1-1, just 25 seconds after Giorgio Chinaglia scored on a penalty kick. The Dips went on to win, 2-1, breaking a streak of three straight Cosmos victories over the Dips via the shootout. Of the win, and the fashion in which it was clinched, Carmine Marcantonio stated, "God finally did justice."


 
The link below is courtesy of http://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com.