When Cherif Souleymane travelled from Guinea to East Germany to study architecture in 1962, the then 17-year-old had no idea that within a year he would be reshaping East German football.
Nor that he would become the first Guinean to play overseas, and one of the first Africans too.
Today considered one of his country’s greats, he had travelled behind the Iron Curtain through an exchange program with East Germany, then a communist country with close links to the Soviet Union.
“I went to study architecture on a government scholarship, not to join a club,” he said.
Yet he soon found himself playing in the country’s second tier after his talents were spotted while playing for his university side in Neubrandenburg, some 130 kilometres north of Berlin.
“The coach for the local Neubrandenburg sports club then asked me if I could join and I said yes.”
Pretty soon, he felt he was representing all black people out on the pitch.
“I was the only black player in the whole of East Germany at the time and I was proud about it – I felt exceptional,” said Souleymane, who celebrates his 77th birthday on Wednesday.
Guinea’s only-ever winner of the African Footballer of the Year award enjoyed a good time with the small-town club, where he was well-known in the community – loved by the fans for both his skill and ability to score goals.
His prowess as a striker helped Neubrandenburg to get promoted to East Germany’s top flight, but he was swiftly forced to leave as foreigners were barred from the ‘DDR-Oberliga’ at the time.
“I spent two seasons with Neubrandenburg and scored lots of goals,” he said.
“The first season we finished 12th and I finished as top scorer, and the following year I helped the team to win the league.”
“I then left to join rival club Neustrelitz, where I spent a season and we finished second in the league.”
