Mark Anthony Fish was born in Cape Town on March 14, 1974.
He started his career with the amateur team Arcadia Shepherds before he was noticed by Jomo Cosmos coach Roy Matthews and joined the Johannesburg club, becoming a professional. He started off as a striker but then was turned into a left back and became one of the most promising South African players at the time. In 1993 he signed for Orlando Pirates where he won the league championship and the 1996 CAF Super Cup. His rise to international fame came when South Africa, participating for the first time since their readmission to FIFA, won the African Cup of Nations.
He could have gone to Manchester United but he preferred to play in, at that time, a more competitive league and he signed for Lazio. He was the first South African to play in Serie A. Under Zdenek Zeman he did not do too badly but when the Czech was sacked and replaced by Dino Zoff, he was often on the bench. In the end he made 17 appearances with one goal.
In the summer of 1997, he was loaned to Bologna, but the Rossoblu manager Renzo Ulivieri was not convinced and he returned to Lazio. At this point he was sold to Bolton Wanderers. At Bolton he was the highest paid player but despite some good performances they were relegated. He stayed and became a fan favourite making 103 league appearances. In 2000 he moved to Charlton Athletic and stayed until 2005 when he went out of favour at the club. He was loaned to Ipswich Town but played just 45 minutes before a severe cruciate ligament injury forced him to retire. In 2007 he did try a comeback with Jomo Cosmos but lacked the fitness to play.
Fish had an excellent international career with South Africa. He won the 1996 African Cup of Nations beating Tunisia in the final. He scored a goal against Algeria in the quarter finals. He was named in the Team of the Tournament both in 1996 and in 1998 where the South Africans lost in the final against Egypt. In the end he won 62 caps scoring twice.
Once he stopped playing, he became manager of Thanda Royal Zulu but was sacked after four months.
At Lazio, Fish was a bit of a disappointment. Perhaps he was a little too slow for Serie A. Also, to be considered is that at home he was a leader while in Italy he was merely one of the team and he probably suffered this fact.
Lazio Career
Season | Total appearances (goals) | Serie A | Coppa Italia | UEFA Cup |
1996-97 | 24 (1) | 19 (1) | 3 | 2 |
Sources
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