Football is a fast and frenetic sport and it’s given the world some of the most spectacular athletes to ever exist. South Africa has enjoyed a wealth of talent in the form of these star players over the years – we spoke to the team at the Infogol Blog these are some of their favourite South African players to have graced the world of football.
John “Shoes” Moshoeu
Moshoeu is a Kaizer Chiefs legend and served an attacking midfielder, earning his nickname for his amazing control of the ball. Moshoeu was a key member of Bafana Bafana during the 1990s as well as playing in the Turkish League after he left South Africa in 1993. One of Shoes’ biggest claims to fame was helping the Bafana Bafana side win the 1996 Africa World Cup of Nations and earning a total of 73 caps for his country.
Benni McCarthy
McCarthy was something of a controversial character in sport, but he also retired from his career as one of the most decorated footballs in South Africa. He won the Champions League, played the highest level in Europe for a number of years and achieved a record 31 goals for his national team. McCarthy had an eye for goals and is still considered to be one of the greatest footballers that South Africa has ever had.
Lucas Radebe
Lucas Radebe is a former Leeds United and Bafana Bafana captain and is an icon in South African football. He started his career in football with Kaizer Chiefs before he made the switch to Leeds back in 1994. He played as part of the winning team in the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations and also served as a huge influence for his national team in 1998 and 2002.
Doctor Khumalo
Doctor Khumalo was a success in the international arena as well as at a club level in South Africa. He was an icon for many young footballers in South Africa during the early 1990s, having been the heart and soul of the Bafana Bafana team in the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations and a key player for Kaizer Chiefs between 1987 and 1994. Doctor Khumalo was capped 50 times for Bafana Bafana and scored nine goals for them in the process.
Patrick Ntsoelengoe
Branded one of the greatest ‘loss talents’ of African football, Patrick Ntsoelengoe’s international record is limited to just one match due to the apartheid regime that banned South African from competing in international competition until 1992. However, Ntsoelengoe remains a brilliant talent and he achieved idol status after moving to the United States and enjoying a successful career at the likes of Denver and Minnesota.
Neil Tovey
Neil Tovey may not be the most accomplished player in this list but as South Africa’s first ever captain, he certainly has a place secured in the history books. Tovey was the first player to ever reach a half-century of caps for the national side, led the Generation of 1996 to the African championship and inspired players around him to remain immovable in the face of the opposition.