Shoes belonged to a ‘special generation’

Premier Soccer League CEO Brand de Villiers has paid tribute to the late former Bafana Bafana star midfielder John Shoes Moshoeu, describing him as a player who belonged to a ‘special generation’.

Moshoeu died after long battle with cancer at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital on 21 April. He had been ill for many months before he was finally admitted to the hospital where he spent close to four months before succumbing to the disease.

He is well known for belonging to the glorious Class of 1996, which brought African glory to South African shores by being on the winning team of the African Cup of Nations.

He played for Kaizer Chiefs and AmaZulu locally before going abroad. Moshoeu, the 49-year-old celebrated midfielder had a colourful career as he played for Turkish giants, Fenerbahce, Busarspor and Genclerbirligi when he was 35, well over the age of what some would say constitutes any player’s football career.

“Shoes belonged to a certain generation of footballers who will always have a special place in the hearts of many South Africans. He was a great ambassador for South Africa. We will always remember and treasure memories of his life, be it at Kaizer Chiefs, AmaZulu or with Bafana Bafana.”

De Villiers added, “On behalf of the clubs and PSL family, we would like to send our heartfelt condolences and prayers to the Moshoeu family during this difficult moment.” When he hung up his boots, Moshoeu took up a coaching career and had a good coaching stint with Alexandra United before being taken ill and finally succumbing to cancer.

Incidentally, Moshoeu is Alex born and carved his soccer career while playing for Alex’s Blackpool Football Club, where Orlando Pirates and PSL chairperson, Dr Irvin ‘Iron Duke’ Khoza also honed his astute administrative skills which have earned him the respect the world over.