More tributes have poured in for former Bafana Bafana star John “Shoes” Moshoeu, who died earlier this week.
South African Football Association (Safa) president Dr Danny Jordaan said he visited Moshoeu at Sandton Clinic on Monday with former Bafana Bafana captain Lucas Radebe.
“He was not in good shape, but he recognised me and even spoke a bit; little did I know that this was some way of him saying goodbye,” Jordaan said.
“Today everyone talks about the class of 1996, because the likes of Shoes made it famous. They got into the history books by lifting the title alongside other stalwarts like Mark Fish, Lucas Radebe, Phil Masinga, Neil Tovey, David Nyathi, André Arendse and the late Sizwe Motaung, among others.
“Shoes was a genius on the field, an intelligent man off it. He was humble and always willing to give advice. He will be remembered for almost single-handedly defeating Ghana in South Africa’s path to lifting the 1996 Afcon title. We have lost a hero,” he added.
President Jacob Zuma also shared his sadness. “We have lost an outstanding footballer, a good role model for our youth, and a committed and patriotic South African.
“Our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends as well as the entire football fraternity. May his soul rest in peace,” Zuma said.
The 49-year-old Moshoeu had been battling cancer for some time and was in and out of hospital in the past few months.
“When I saw him struggling on Monday, I was heartbroken.
“But, knowing the fighter that Shoes was, I still expected that he would pull through,” Radebe said.
“What an exemplary figure he was on and off the pitch. He lived a clean life – never smoked or drank, exercised religiously – and this happens. Anyway, that is life; we are never masters of our destiny,” he added. - The Star