Yesteryear heroes Allan Varner and Vader Mophosho pass on

RIP ALLAN VARNER RIP VADER MOPHOSHO

Allan Varner, who was a prolific scorer in the old National Football League in the 1960s and early 70s, passed away in Johannesburg just before Christmas. The 73-year-old had been suffering from cancer. Described as one of the best passers of the ball in the old whites-only league, he was a star performer for both Durban City and Maritzburg United in his career. He scored 50 league goals for Durban City in the 1960s, and then a further 64 at Maritzburg United, where he played until 1976. Varner coached African Wanderers in their fairytale run to the 1985 Mainstay Cup Final, losing in extra-time to Bloemfontein Celtic. His wife Michelle was a former manager of the South Africa women’s team, and the pair worked together as marketing consultants to Bafana Bafana in the first years after readmission to the international fold. South African football lost the legendary Daniel ‘Vader’ Mophosho in December after his long battle with emphysema. Avid fans will particularly remember his contribution in the 1980 Mainstay Cup semi-finals between Kaizer Chiefs and Moroka Swallows. The scintillating first tie ended 5-5, and it was Mophosho who single-handedly knocked Chiefs out in the replay. “If it wasn’t for Vader, we would have never won that match,” recalls Swallows director Godfrey Gxowa. “He had an accident earlier that day, but came on as a substitute and helped us win 2-1. “Vader joined us in 1973 after spending his earlier days playing in Alexandra. He was softly spoken but did a lot of damage on the field. After he retired from playing he became the club’s assistant coach, and made a great contribution to Swallows.”