Pernell McKop Biography | Background, Age, Wife and Children, Playing Career, Coaching Career, Awards and Achievements
This is the biography of Pernell “Makhiwa” McKop, a former football player and current goalkeepers’ coach from Zimbabwe. He played as a goalkeeper for various clubs in Zimbabwe and the national team.
Background
He is the older brother of Henry McKop, a goalkeeper for the Zimbabwe national team during the Dream Team era.
Age
Pernell McKop was born on February 10, 1965.
Also read: Kaitano Tembo Biography | Age, Club Career, International Career, Coaching Career
Wife and Children
Pernell McKop is married to Zelda McKop, and they have three children: Jodene, Shanice, and Chelsey.
Education
McKop attended Robert Tredgold Primary School in 1972, Barham Green Primary School in 1974, and later, Founders High School starting in 1978.
Playing Career
McKop began his football career with Rovers Junior Football Club before joining a local community team in the ZIFA Second Division when he was just 15 years old. His early performances led to his selection for the Zimbabwe Under-20 team, where he played alongside notable players like Madinda Ndlovu, Willard Khumalo, and Godfrey Paradza.
After completing high school, McKop moved to Harare and signed with Arcadia Karls in 1983, where he played eight matches and helped the team win the Chibuku Cup. He then returned to Bulawayo to play for Highlanders Football Club at the end of the season. In 1984, he signed with Eagles, spending two years with the club and playing with notable teammates such as Boy Ndlovu and Rhaman Gumbo.
In 1986, McKop joined Zimbabwe Saints Football Club, where he achieved significant success, including winning the league title in 1988 and the Chibuku Cup. He also reached the finals of the Rothmans Shield. In 1989, he participated in the Champions League with Zimbabwe Saints. The following year, he returned to Highlanders, where he won another league championship.
Coaching Career
McKop retired from playing in 1991 due to a back injury that required surgery. After 18 months of recovery, he transitioned into coaching and obtained his coaching licences. He was invited by Roy Barretto to assist with coaching the Zimbabwe Under-23 team, where he worked with goalkeepers Nelson Bandura and Karim Abdul. McKop also coached goalkeepers at Highlanders and Amazulu Football Club.
In the early 1990s, McKop worked part-time with the Dream Team, coaching prominent goalkeepers like Bruce Grobbelaar and Brenna Msiska.
In 2004, McKop moved to Cape Town, South Africa, where he became a professional goalkeeping coach. He worked with several teams in the ABSA Premier Soccer League, including Santos, Free-State Stars, and Maritzburg United, helping them achieve promotion and winning the National First Division title. He also coached at Bay United and FCAK in the National First Division, notably coaching Arthur Bartman, who was later signed by Kaizer Chiefs.
In 2011, McKop took a break from professional football to establish his own goalkeeper training school in Cape Town called JUST4KEEPERS Cape Town, a franchise of the international JUST4KEEPERS organization. Through this school, three young goalkeepers have been signed by clubs in the UK and Germany.
In 2014, McKop joined Black Leopards Football Club in the National First Division and narrowly missed promotion to the Premier Soccer League. He is currently the goalkeeping coach for Stellenbosch FC in South Africa.
Clubs Played For
- Rovers Junior Football Club
- Arcadia Karls Football Club
- Zimbabwe Saints Football Club
- Highlanders Football Club
National Team Caps
- Zimbabwe Young Warriors: 2 caps
- Zimbabwe senior national team (Warriors): 1 cap
Awards and Achievements
- 1988: League Title and Chibuku Cup winner with Zimbabwe Saints Football Club
- 1990: League Title winner with Highlanders Football Club
- 1994-1997: League Titles with Kaizer Wolves as player-coach, winning consecutive titles from Division 5 to Division 1.
