Kaizer Chiefs legend Abednigo ‘Shaka’ Ngcobo passed away in the early hours of Saturday morning, 1 November 2014. He was 63-years-old.

“Shaka was probably one of the best all-round strikers ever to have worn the Gold and Black jersey,” reflects his former teammate Lucky Stylianou. “To be honest, he was probably one of the best, if not the best striker South Africa ever had.”

Ngcobo played for Chiefs between 1972 and 1984. The striker, who also excelled on the wing, was chosen as the South African Football of the Year for the 1979 season.

The skillful attacker also played for Minnesota Kicks and Denver Dynamos in the American NASL and Penarol in Uruguay.

Three Amakhosi legends played together for Denver Dynamos in 1975: Kaizer Motaung, Ace Ntsoelengoe and Shaka Ngcobo. Kaizer Chiefs Chairman scored seven goals that season (providing one assist), Ntsoelengoe made five goals (four assists) and Ngcobo netted five times, while delivering six assists for others to score.

The following season, Ngcobo and Ntsoelengoe both moved to Minnesota Kicks.

Even former opponents still admire Ngcobo’s skills. Marabastad Sundowns legend Smiley Moosa says: “Shaka had great speed and he was unbelievably strong. He could play both as a striker and as a winger, the last position being his best, I felt. He was also a fantastic goalscorer, sometimes looking a bit out of the game, before suddenly popping up with a goal. He had a very educated left-foot, but he could score with both feet. Bafana Bafana could do with a striker of his class right now, as Shaka knew how to find the back of the net.”

In recent years, Ngcobo ran a taxi business in his home town of Alexandra. He is survived by his wife Khanyisine and a daughter.

Kaizer Chiefs offers its sincerest condolences to the Ngcobo family.

Abednigo ‘Shaka’ Ngcobo (10 May 1951 – 1 November 2014)