“It’s a sad state of affair to lose somebody like ‘Shoes’,” reflects Kaizer Chiefs Chairman Kaizer Motaung about the passing away of Amakhosi’s soccer legend John Moshoeu at the age of 49.

The creative midfielder joined Chiefs from Blackpool in 1993. He was given his first team debut by the then head coach Sergio dos Santos.

“He had this immense dedication towards the game of football,” continues Motaung. “Even after retiring, Shoes would always be busy training youngsters in the trade of football.”

Moshoeu left for Turkey during that 1993 season.

He returned to Chiefs in 2003, helping the club to two league trophies (2003/2004 and 2004/2005). In 2006, Moshoeu left Amakhosi and joined AmaZulu.

“Shoes was also a man who was very health conscious,” the Kaizer Chiefs Chairman reflects on Moshoeu’s return to the Village. “Because of his high fitness levels, he could still play at such a high level when already in his late thirties. He left Chiefs at the age of 40.”

As a gentleman of the game, Shoes gained 73 Bafana Bafana caps, being one of the stars of the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations winning side. He scored eight times wearing the South African national team jersey.

“Besides being a great player,” concludes Motaung. “Shoes was such a nice and modest person. He would also never be in the media for the wrong reasons. We will always remember him as an extremely talented player with excellent ball handling skills and great vision.”

Our prayers go out to John Moshoeu’s family and friends. May his soul rest in peace. Amakhosi 4 Life.