An honour to serve my country: Mckop

Pernell Mckop has described his recent invitation to be among Warriors coach, Michael Nees’ assistants as an honour.

He has been invited to come on board as new coach Nees’ goalkeepers’ coach. “It’s an absolute honour to be invited to serve your country. I was called up to the Cosafa tournament and it was great serving my country and now this appointment again,” said Mckop a former Zimbabwe youth international.

He had so much promise that at 18 years old in 1983, he was called up for the senior national team that played in the East and Central Africa Confederation of Football Associations (Cecafa).

Mckop had Zimbabwean debating as he was only 18 and still with the Young Warriors. Speaking from his Western Cape base in South Africa, Mckop whose Stellenbosch side faces Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN Top Eight quarter-finals on Sunday, said getting a call from Zifa was very humbling.

“I am humbled to be honest to be considered to work under Nees a very experienced coach. I am excited and eager to learn from him,” said Mckop.

He said while Zifa had spoken to him, he was excited about the prospect of being of service to his country in a game he loves so much.

“I love my country and I am happy to be of service to Zimbabwe and the game of football both of whom I love so much,” said the former Zimbabwe youth international. He said Zifa had asked for the club email and it was expected today.

“I am yet to hear from the club, when I was called up for the Cosafa tournament, they were excited about and believed that it would raise the profile of the club. For this appointment they were yet to get communication but I’m sure it is coming through by this evening (last night) and we take it up from there,” said Mckop.

Mckop was part of the 1988 Zimbabwe Saints side that won the league championship and the Chibuku Trophy under Roy Barreto. He deputised Peter Nkomo when Bosso won their first league and cup double two years later with Barreto as head coach assisted by Barry Daka and Cosmas Zulu with Lawrence Phiri as manager.

Mckop began his coaching journey in the early 2000s going to South Africa for attachments with a number of clubs while working for a local bank in Bulawayo.

He had started getting Zimbabwe coaching badges and now holds a number including some issued by the South African Football Association and Fifa.

Mckop, the elder brother to Warriors legend Henry and younger brother to Tyrone, will have his Stellenbosch playing AS Vita of the Democratic Republic of Congo on September 12 in Kinshasa, two days after their Afcon qualifier against Cameroon in Kampala, Uganda.

The Warriors take on Kenya at the Mandela Stadium on September 6 in an Afcon qualifier. Mckop worked under Reinhard Fabisch during the Dream Team era.

He has coached at Santos, Ubunto, FC AK, Black Leopards, Bay United, Maritzburg and Wolves in Bulawayo, but it is at his present club where he has had the most success, a South African FA runners-up medal and qualification to the second round of the Caf Confederation Cup.