John Moshoeu

Giant Blackpool

Moshoeu was born in Ga Mashashane, Limpopo and grew up in Diepkloof, Soweto. He started his career with local amateur club Diepkloof Blue Whales and was later recruited to join Giant Blackpool playing in the OK League for R3,000. He made his professional debut from Giant Blackpool in a 2–1 loss to Arcadia Shepherds on 1 March 1987. He scored his first goal in a 4–3 loss to Wits University on 18 April 1987. Fani Madida and Geelboy Gomma Gomma Masango joined him later at Blackpool, making up the "Triple M" combination . He helped Blackpool reach the 1991 JPS Cup Final, where he ended up on the losing side against Dynamos at Ellis Park Stadium. At Blackpool, Moshoeu scored 75 goals in 175 matches.

Kaizer Chiefs

Moshoeu chose to move to Kaizer Chiefs over Orlando Pirates for a then record fee of R250,000 after the two teams were neck and neck for his services in 1993 after having gone for trials at Wolverhampton Wanderers. His stay was short-lived as he left in mid-season having only played 14 games. Before joining Chiefs, he had been sidelined for six months with a broken leg.

In Turkey

He later signed with FIFA agent Marcelo Houseman and transferred to Turkish club Genclerbirligi after the President Ilhan Cavcav flew to Johannesburg to see him play. He also played for Kocaelispor. He joined Fenerbahce for $2 million. where he was a favourite with the fans. In his time overseas, Moshoeu was coached by Franz Beckenbauer and Joachim…

After recovering from a broken leg and being sidelined for six months, he made his debut for South Africa on 10 January 1993 and scored on debut against Botswana with Rudolph Seale. He formed a vital part of the team that won the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations, and was second top scorer with four goals. Moshoeu later said that he broke down in tears when asked for an autograph by a white fan after the game, only two years after South Africa's first racially open elections. He was also part of the squad that travelled to France for the 1998 FIFA World Cup. He represented South Africa in six major tournaments. He is the oldest player to play in national colours for South Africa. His last match was against Nigeria in Monastir, Tunisia on 31 March 2004 at the age of 38 years, one month and 13 days. He accumulated 73 caps and eight goals in 68 starts. Moshoeu was known as "Shoes" by fans, who paid homage to him and Mark Fish by buying shoes and fish.

Moshoeu's family history is traced back to Alexandra township where his mother Reena Moshoeu resided. Moshoeu was a car enthusiast. Between 1985 and 2003, Moshoeu owned nine cars. His first was a Toyota Corolla 1.6 while during his time at Chiefs he owned a silver Porsche Boxster and a red Mini Cooper S. Moshoeu never got married and he is the father of four children, two boys, two girls.

Death

Moshoeu died on 21 April 2015 at the Morningside Hospital after a long battle with stomach cancer. Moshoeu was also admitted to the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital before his death. Moshoeu's funeral service was held at the Grace Bible Church in Soweto and was buried at Westpark Cemetery in Randburg on 27 April 2015.