Mark Fish

**Mark Anthony Fish** (born 14 March 1974) is a South African former professional footballer who played as a defender. Mark Fish's style of play as a defender was characterized by his ability to play a crucial role in his team's defensive structure. He was known for his strong presence on the field, his ability to read the game, and his skill in making crucial decisions to protect his team's goal. Fish's defensive prowess was evident during his time with the Orlando Pirates, where he was instrumental in the team's success, including winning the league championship and the CAF Super Cup. His style of play was also showcased when he played for Bolton Wanderers, where he was praised for his defensive contributions and was a key player in the team's efforts to avoid relegation. Regarded as one of the best defenders in South African football history.

## Club career

He was born on March 14, 1974 in Cape Town. He is a pupil of the football school of the Kaizer Chiefs club.

He made his debut in adult football in 1991 playing for the team of the club "Jomo Cosmos", in which he spent two seasons, taking part in 55 league matches.

Subsequently, from 1993 to 1997, he played as part of the teams of the Orlando Pirates and Lazio clubs.

With his play for the latter team, he attracted the attention of representatives of the coaching staff of the Bolton Wanderers club, which he joined in 1997. He played for the club from Bolton for the next three seasons of his playing career. Most of the time spent with Bolton, he was the main player in the team's defense.

During 2000-2006, he defended the colors of Charlton Athletic and Ipswich Town.

He finished his professional playing career at the Jomo Cosmos club, in which he had already played before. He joined the team in 2007, defended its colors until he stopped playing at the professional level in 2007.

## International career

In 1993, he made his debut in official matches as part of the national team of South Africa. During his career in the national team, which lasted 12 years, he spent 62 matches in the uniform of the main team of the country, scoring 2 goals.

As part of the national team, he participated in the 1996 African Cup of Nations in South Africa, winning the title of continental champion that year, the 1997 Confederations Cup in Saudi Arabia, the 1998 African Cup of Nations in Burkina Faso, where he won silver with the team, the 1998 World Cup in France, the 2000 African Cup of Nations in Ghana and Nigeria, where the team won bronze awards.

## Coaching career

He began his coaching career shortly after the end of his playing career, in 2009, heading the coaching staff of the club "Tanda Royal Zulu". Currently, the coaching experience is limited to this club.

## Honours

**Orlando Pirates**
- National Soccer League: 1994
- Bob Save Super Bowl: 1996
- BP Top Eight Cup: 1996
- African Cup of Champions Clubs: 1995
- CAF Super Cup: 1996

**South Africa**
- African Cup of Nations: 1996; runner-up: 1998; third place: 2000

## Infobox (football biography)

- **name**: Mark Fish
- **image**: Mark Fish.jpg
- **caption**: Fish playing for Charlton Athletic F.C., Charlton Athletic in 2004
- **fullname**: Mark Anthony Fish
- **birth place**: Cape Town, South Africa
- **position**: Defender (association football), Defender
- **youthclubs1**: Arcadia Shepherds
- **years1**: 1991–1993
- **years2**: 1993–1996
- **years3**: 1996–1997
- **years4**: 1997–2000
- **years5**: 2000–2005
- **years6**: 2005
- **years7**: 2007
- **clubs1**: Jomo Cosmos
- **clubs2**: Orlando Pirates FC, Orlando Pirates
- **clubs3**: S.S. Lazio, Lazio
- **clubs4**: Bolton Wanderers F.C., Bolton Wanderers
- **clubs5**: Charlton Athletic F.C., Charlton Athletic
- **clubs6**: → Ipswich Town F.C., Ipswich Town (loan)
- **clubs7**: Jomo Cosmos
- **caps1**: 55
- **caps2**: 110
- **caps3**: 15
- **caps4**: 103
- **caps5**: 102
- **caps6**: 1
- **caps7**: 0
- **totalcaps**: 386
- **goals1**: 3
- **goals2**: 11
- **goals3**: 1
- **goals4**: 3
- **goals5**: 3
- **goals6**: 0
- **goals7**: 0
- **totalgoals**: 21
- **nationalyears1**: 1993–2004
- **nationalteam1**: South Africa national soccer team, South Africa
- **nationalcaps1**: 62
- **nationalgoals1**: 2