Africa's retired footballers

Daniel Amokachi – Nigeria

The world of African football has had some of the most talented legs grace it over the years. Part of the reason why African football continues to record an avalanche of pure talents who are able to hold their own against others from other parts of the world, is the large pool of talented players the continent’s game breeds year on year. Some have retired, but remain relevant. We look at some of Africa’s retired footballers, and what they’ve been up to.

A successful player in his heyday, he remains one of the best things to have ever happened to African football.

Currently the Assistant Manager of the Nigerian national team, he commands a lot of respect from both old and new players. Many others look up to him.

Amokachi's professional career of nearly two decades saw him play in some of the best leagues in the world, making over 40 appearances for English side Everton.

He also played in Belgium, the United States, and for Turkish club Besiktas.

Kalusha Bwalya – Zambia

One of Africa's greatest players of the last century, the Zambian is an example of just how fine and crisp African football is and can be.

Winner of several awards during his active years, Bwalya was the iconic poster boy of the Zambian national team, the Chipolopolo.

Now the President of the Football Association of Zambia, he is affectionately called the 'Great Kalu'.

He played in Belgium, Mexico, U.A.E, and in the Netherlands for PSV Eindhoven.

Bwalya also serves on some committees of the governing bodies FIFA and CAF.

Anthony Baffoe – Ghana

Your average footballer, who knows his bearing, Baffoe offers that oft-overlooked side of football – gentleness.

His demeanour off the pitch and eloquence in several languages has made him a sought after ambassador for the sport.

It explains why he is able to effectively hold and administer positions (ambassadorial included) at both CAF and FIFA levels.

He played for Ghana at both the 1992 and 1996 African Cup of Nations, becoming the first “Ghanaian expatriate player” to play for the team, a move that later saw a succession of other players of Ghanaian heritage invited to join the team.

A model, and television presenter, he was in 2006 made the Director of International Relations, when the Black Stars qualified for their first World Cup in Germany.

Baffoe is also Founder of the Professional Footballers Association of Ghana.

His active years of professional football were mainly in the German Bundesliga, and he was one of the first recognised Black players to play in the league.

He also played in Venezuela, Hong Kong, and in France, for FC Metz, and OGC Nice.

Mark Fish – South Africa

A popular figure across Africa during and after the 1996 African Cup, which South Africa hosted and won, Mark Fish, and his generation of players set the benchmark for what is now the Bafana Bafana most people know.

One of the best defenders of his time, he played actively in the South African PSL, for Jomo Cosmos, and Orlando Pirates.

He had a stint in the Italian Serie A with Lazio, and also and played for a number of English teams including Bolton Wanderers, Ipswich Town, and Charlton.

A key part of the success story of South Africa’s bidding for hosting rights to the 2010 World Cup, he is now involved in Charity work, and occasionally appears on television as a football panellist.

Roger Milla – Cameroon

A living legend, and one of the world's best strikers of the years, Milla's goal scoring prowess for years, made him an on-the-pitch delight.

His appearance in the 1990 World Cup for Cameroon saw him take the world’s centre stage, becoming a tournament favourite. Prior to that he had taken part in the 1982 World Cup.

He was also part of the 1994 team.

Milla was from 2001 to 2007 a member of the coaching staff of French side Montpellier, a team he played for from 1986 to 1989.

He also worked with Cameroonian side Tonnerre.

He is an itinerant ambassador for the United Nations body UNAIDS.