On This Day: The Great John "Shoes" Moshoeu Passes Away at the Age of 49 in 2015

• The 21st of April will forever be a sad one for the South African football fraternity after the death of John "Shoes" Moshoeu on the day in 2015
• The midfield maestro who thrilled fans with his wizardry for Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs among others passed away from complications in his battle with cancer
• Moshoeu will be remembered as a vital cog of South Africa's unstoppable machine that carried the nation to a the African Cup of Nations title in 1996

The great John "Shoes" Moshoeu passed away on this day, 21 April, seven years ago at the age of 49.

The legendary former Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs midfielder had been battling with cancer when he died. He will always be remembered as a crucial figure in South Africa's African Cup of Nations victory in 1996.

Shoes, as he was best known to fans because of the wording in his surname, was born in Ga-Mashashane, Limpopo, and grew up in Diepkloof, Soweto. He played for Blue Whales in Diepkloof, from where Kaizer Chiefs signed him to their reserve team after witnessing his magic on the pitch.

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Moshoeu was released to go and play at the now-defunct Giant Blackpool in 1987, where impressive performances over five seasons saw the Amakhosi realise the error of their ways.

He re-signed with them in 1992, but was so good there that Turkish team Gençlerbirligi came calling a season later in 1993. It was the same season that he was roped into the Bafana team he would help keep ticking during its glory days until 2004.

He was a fixture of sorts in Turkey, turning out in the colours of Kocaelispor, Fenerbahçe and Bursaspor, before returning to Chiefs in 2002. It was an inspired decision by the club's management, as he inspired them many trophies including two league titles in 2004 and 2005.

He called time on his illustrious career at the age of 43 with Amazulu in 2008. He scored 152 goals in 555 club appearances, and eight times in 73 international appearances.

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