As the country celebrated Freedom Day, football fans, ordinary South Africans and some notable figures in the football fraternity gathered at the Grace Bible Church in Pimville, Soweto, to pay their last respects to football legend John Lesiba ‘Shoes’ Moshoeu.
The midfield maestro passed away on Tuesday, after he succumbed to stomach cancer.
Speaking at the funeral Kaizer Chiefs chairman Kaizer Motaung said, “Shoes was like a son to me, and he treated me as such (like a father).
“I have a secret to share, that only my grandson knows about.
“Whenever I watch Real Madrid’s star Cristiano Ronaldo play, he reminds me of Shoes.
“Ronaldo’s pace, footwork and strength always brings back the memories of Moshoeu.”
Motaung said Shoes was one of the last professional soccer heroes to have learned the game on the street.
“The time had come to make a documentary about Moshoeu’s life and achievements.”
“It is sad to lose Shoes in this way.
“He was always health conscious and a true professional.
“Before he passed on, we had various interesting club related conversations.
“Most young people don’t realise that what they see at the stadium or on their televisions is a polished product.
“There is a lot of investment and sacrifice that goes into preparing an athlete to perform at his peak.
“He was a great example of the commitment and discipline needed to achieve at the highest level.
“My condolences go to the family and friends. Shoes fought his fight and ran his race,” said Motaung.
Minister of Sports and Recreation Fikile Mbalula started his tribute by calling the Bafana Bafana star a soccer giant and a patriot.
“Shoes embraced the South African flag and ran with it.
“I learned of his determination from listening to anecdotes told by his former teammates,” said Mbalula.
Mbalula said Shoes and his generation picked up the baton from a long line of legends going back to with emergence of the late Steve ‘Kalamazoo’ Mokone, the first South African footballer to play in professional European league.
SAFA president Danny Jordaan noted that Mosheu’s 73 caps over 11 years, starting in 1993 to 2004, coincided with Bafana Bafana’s golden era.
Former Bafana captain Neil Tovey said: “Moshoeu was an example to professional players and would remain so for generations to come.
The 49-year-old was part of the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations winning team, under the leadership of Clive Barker.
He was laid to rest at the Heroes Arch West Park Cemetery alongside Top Billings Simba Mhere and former Moroka Swallows legend Dennis Lota to name a few.
Shoes leaves behind his mother, sister, children and niece.
