View source for John Moshoeu

{{short description|South African soccer player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use South African English|date=November 2012}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name           = John Moshoeu
| image          = 
| fullname       = John Lesiba Moshoeu
| birth_date     = {{birth date|1965|12|18|df=y}}
| birth_place    = [[Soweto]], South Africa
| death_date     = {{death date and age|2015|4|21|1965|12|18|df=y}}
| death_place    = [[Johannesburg]], South Africa
| height         = {{height|m=1.77}}
| position       = [[Attacking Midfielder]]
| currentclub    = 
| clubnumber     = 
| youthyears1    = 
| youthclubs1    = Blue Whales
| youthyears2    = 
| youthclubs2    = [[Kaizer Chiefs]]
| years1         = 1987–1992
| clubs1         = [[Giant Blackpool]]
| caps1          = 175
| goals1         = 75
| years2         = 1993
| clubs2         = [[Kaizer Chiefs]]
| caps2          = 14
| goals2         = 2
| years3         = 1993–1995
| clubs3         = [[Gençlerbirligi]]
| caps3          = 27
| goals3         = 5
| years4         = 1995–1997
| clubs4         = [[Kocaelispor]]
| caps4          = 76
| goals4         = 20
| years5         = 1997–2001
| clubs5         = [[Fenerbahçe S.K. (football team)|Fenerbahçe]]
| caps5          = 75
| goals5         = 15
| years6         = 2001–2003
| clubs6         = [[Bursaspor]]
| caps6          = 48
| goals6         = 7
| years7         = 2003–2006
| clubs7         = [[Kaizer Chiefs]]
| caps7          = 89
| goals7         = 23
| years8         = 2006–2008
| clubs8         = [[AmaZulu F.C. (South Africa)|AmaZulu]]
| caps8          = 51
| goals8         = 5
| totalcaps      = 555
| totalgoals     = 152
| nationalyears1 = 1993–2004
| nationalteam1  = [[South Africa national football team|South Africa]]
| nationalcaps1  = 73
| nationalgoals1 = 8
| manageryears1  = 2010–2014
| managerclubs1  = [[Alexandra United]]
}}

'''John "Shoes" Lesiba Moshoeu''' (18 December 1965 – 21 April 2015) was a South African [[football (soccer)|football]] player who was part of the [[South Africa national football team|South African]] team that won the [[1996 African Cup of Nations]]. He played as an attacking midfielder.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.citizen.co.za/rosebank-killarney-gazette/sports-news/local-sports/2015/04/23/shoes-moshoeu-a-gentle-giant-has-fallen/ | title=Shoes Moshoeu: A gentle giant has fallen | date=23 April 2015 }}</ref>

Shoes, as he was best known to fans, was born in Ga Mashashane, [[Limpopo]] and grew up in [[Diepkloof]], [[Soweto]].  He played for Blue Whales in [[Diepkloof]]. [[Kaizer Chiefs]] signed him to their reserve team.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://mg.co.za/article/2015-04-24-00-goodbye-to-shoes-moshoeu-one-of-the-most-gifted-players-ever/ | title=Goodbye to 'Shoes' Moshoeu, one of the most gifted players ever | date=24 April 2015 }}</ref>

==Career==
===Giant Blackpool===
He started his career in Diepkloof with an amateur team called Diepkloof Blue Wales 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 .<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sundayworld.co.za/sport/2015/04/21/rest-in-peace-john-shoes-moshoeu|title=Redirecting...|website=www.sundayworld.co.za|language=en|access-date=2018-06-02|archive-date=20 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120095419/http://www.sundayworld.co.za/sport/2015/04/21/rest-in-peace-john-shoes-moshoeu|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="goal.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-za/news/4666/south-africa/2015/04/22/10991032/shoes-moshoeu-a-midfield-maestro-that-stole-south-african|title=Shoes Moshoeu: A midfield maestro that stole South African hearts {{!}} Goal.com|website=www.goal.com|language=en|access-date=2018-06-02}}</ref> He helped Blackpool reach the 1991 JPS Cup Final, where he ended up on the losing side against Dynamos at [[Ellis Park Stadium]].<ref name="kickoff.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.kickoff.com/mobile/news/54715/john-shoes-moshoeu-passes-on-|title=John 'Shoes' Moshoeu passes on|work=kickoff.com|access-date=21 April 2015|archive-date=9 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509035722/http://www.kickoff.com/mobile/news/54715/john-shoes-moshoeu-passes-on-|url-status=dead}}</ref> At Blackpool, Moshoeu scored 75 goals in 175 matches.<ref name="independentnewspapersonline">{{cite web|url=http://www.iol.co.za/sport/shoes-moshoeu-fact-file-1.520274#.VTZuA12t-o8|title=Shoes Moshoeu fact file|author=Independent Newspapers Online|work=Independent Online}}</ref>

===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.<ref name="independentnewspapersonline"/><ref name="thedirtytackle.net">{{cite web|url=http://www.thedirtytackle.net/2010/01/where-are-they-now-john-lesiba-shoes.html|title=The Dirty Tackle: WATN? John ''Shoes'' Moshoeu|work=thedirtytackle.net|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150410234206/http://www.thedirtytackle.net/2010/01/where-are-they-now-john-lesiba-shoes.html|archive-date=10 April 2015}}</ref> Before joining Chiefs, he had been sidelined for six months with a broken leg.<ref name="m.mg.co.za">{{Cite news|url=http://m.mg.co.za/article/2015-04-24-00-goodbye-to-shoes-moshoeu-one-of-the-most-gifted-players-ever|title=Goodbye to 'Shoes' Moshoeu, one of the most gifted players ever|last=Gleeson|first=Mark|work=The M&G Online|access-date=2018-06-02|language=en|archive-date=16 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116100132/https://m.mg.co.za/article/2015-04-24-00-goodbye-to-shoes-moshoeu-one-of-the-most-gifted-players-ever|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===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 [[Fenerbahçe S.K. (football team)|Fenerbahce]] for $2 million.<ref name="m.mg.co.za"/> where he was a favourite with the fans. In his time overseas, Moshoeu was coached by [[Franz Beckenbauer]] and [[Joachim Löw]].<ref name="soccerladuma.co.za">{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/leagues/south-african-premier-soccer-league/shoes-moshoeu-was-frustrated-with-things-at-alex-united/162224|title=Shoes Moshoeu Was Frustrated With Things at Alex United.|work=South Africa}}</ref> He won a Turkish Cup in 1996/97 while at Kocaelispor.<ref name="goal.com"/>

===Kaizer Chiefs (2nd spell)===
He went back to [[Kaizer Chiefs]] at age 37 where, at his vintage age, he continued to excite his old fans with the same enthusiasm and skill in 2002. His time at the club saw him play 89 games and scoring 23 goals to his name. Moshoeu played a pivotal role for Chiefs in the 2003/04 season, Moshoeu finished as Chiefs top goalscorer with 11 goals in all competitions, including two hat-tricks. The first was against Black Leopards in a 5–0 win and the second against his future club, AmaZulu in a 4–1 win.
Moshoeu assisted in ending Chiefs league title drought that had lasted 11 years. This wasn't his only title at the club. His trophy case acquired two Coca-Cola Cups (2003/04 and 2004/05), a second league title followed in the 2004/2005, and the Absa Cup in the 2005/06 season. He played at Chiefs until 2006.<ref name="goal.com"/>

===AmaZulu===
He played for [[AmaZulu F.C. (South Africa)|AmaZulu]] until 2008 at the age of 42. He holds the record for the oldest goal scorer in the PSL when he scored for AmaZulu against Kaizer Chiefs in 2007 at the age of 41 years, 11 months and 17 days.<ref name="m.mg.co.za"/>

===Later career===
There were rumours that Moshoeu would make a comeback in March 2009 with [[Orlando Pirates]] or [[Bidvest Wits]] which he trained at but the deals never materialised.<ref name="thedirtytackle.net"/> The [[Attacking Midfielder|attacking midfielder]] announced on 6 November 2010 his comeback with [[Brian Baloyi]] as owners of a South African club Alexandra United FC.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8977:moshoeu-signs-for-alexandra-united&catid=6:local&Itemid=129|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101108051323/http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8977%3Amoshoeu-signs-for-alexandra-united&catid=6%3Alocal&Itemid=129|url-status=dead|title=Moshoeu Signs For Alexandra United|archive-date=8 November 2010}}</ref> In 2011/2012, Moshoeu scored 20 goals for Alex United in the [[Vodacom League]]. He called time on his career on 11 May 2014 when he resigned from the [[ABC Motsepe League]] club after following a fallout with the club's director, Nick Nicolaou.<ref name="soccerladuma.co.za"/> On 21 April 2015, he died of cancer.<ref>{{cite web|title='Shoes' loses battle with cancer|url=http://www.sport24.co.za/Soccer/PSL/Shoes-loses-battle-with-cancer-20150421|publisher=sport24.co.za|access-date=21 April 2015|date=21 April 2015}}</ref>

When asked about retirement, after he turned 40, Moshoeu said, "I'm not a cheese. I don't get mouldy with age."<ref name="m.mg.co.za"/>

==International career==
After recovering from a broken leg and being sidelined for six months,<ref name="m.mg.co.za"/> he made his debut for [[South Africa national football team|South Africa]] on 10 January 1993 and scored on debut against Botswana with [[Rudolph Seale]].<ref name="independentnewspapersonline"/> 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 [[1994 South African general election|South Africa's first racially open elections]].<ref name=mani>{{cite news |last1=Djazmi |first1=Mani |title=Africa Cup of Nations: South Africa's 1996 triumph and its role in post-apartheid change |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60083320 |access-date=3 February 2022 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=3 February 2022}}</ref>

He was also part of the squad that travelled to France for the [[1998 FIFA World Cup]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition=1013/teams/team=43883.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090615133838/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition=1013/teams/team=43883.html|url-status=dead|title=1998 FIFA World Cup - South Africa Squad|archive-date=15 June 2009}}</ref> 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.<ref name="m.mg.co.za"/> 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.<ref name=mani/>

==Personal life==
Moshoeu's family history is traced back to [[Alexandra, Gauteng|Alexandra]] where his mother Reena Moshoeu resided.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citypress.co.za/news/rest-in-peace-shoes-moshoeu/ |title=Rest in peace, Shoes Moshoeu - City Press |access-date=2015-04-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150422001629/http://www.citypress.co.za/news/rest-in-peace-shoes-moshoeu/ |archive-date=22 April 2015 }}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://m24arg02.naspers.com/argief/berigte/citypress/2003/08/31/C1/3/02.html |title=City Press, Sondag 31 Augustus 2003, p. 3: With Shoes and wheels star drives and scores |website=m24arg02.naspers.com |access-date=2 February 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150422160442/http://m24arg02.naspers.com/argief/berigte/citypress/2003/08/31/C1/3/02.html |archive-date=22 April 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Moshoeu never got married and he is the father of four children, two boys, two girls.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://m.ewn.co.za/2015/04/27/friends-pay-tribute-to-Moshoeu|title=Family, former teammates pay tribute to Moshoeu|last=Mothupi|first=Morena|access-date=2018-06-02|language=en}}</ref>

===Death===
Moshoeu died on 21 April 2015 at the Morningside Hospital after a long battle with HIV related illnesses. Moshoeu was also admitted to the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital before his death.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://randburgsun.co.za/256155/shoes-moshoue-dies-at-the-age-of-49/|title=Shoes Moshoeu dies at the age of 49 {{!}} Randburg Sun|date=2015-04-21|work=Randburg Sun|access-date=2018-06-02|language=en-US}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://m.ewn.co.za/2015/04/27/Hundreds-gather-to-bid-Shoes-Moshoeu-farewell|title=Hundreds gather to bid Shoes Moshoeu farewell|last=Mothupi|first=Morena|access-date=2018-06-02|language=en}}</ref>

==Statistics==
===International goals===
<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.soccerladuma.co.za/express-yourself/show/132622|title=1 – 10 January 1993 v Botswana, 2nd, 2–0, Friendly, Gaborone2 – 13 January 1996 v Cameroon, 3rd, 3-0, AFCON, Joburg3 – 27 Jan 1996 v Algeria, 2nd, 2-1, AFCON, Joburg4 - 31 Jan 1996 v Ghana, 1st, 1-1, AFCON, Joburg5 - 31 Jan 1996 v Ghana, 3rd, 3-1, AFCON, Joburg6 - 18 Sep 1996 v Australia, 1st, 2-0, Four Nations Cup, Joburg7 - 28 Apr 1999 v Denmark, 1st, 1-1, Friendly, Copenhagen8 - 8 Oct 2003 v Lesotho, 1st, 3-0, Friendly, Maseru|website=South African soccer news}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
! # !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition
|-
| 1 || 10 January 1993 || [[Botswana National Stadium|National Stadium]], [[Gaborone]], [[Botswana]]|| {{fb|Botswana}}|| '''2'''–0 || 2–0 || [[International friendly]]
|-
| 2 || 13 January 1996 || [[FNB Stadium]], [[Johannesburg]], [[South Africa]]|| {{fb|Cameroon}}|| '''3'''–0 || 3–0 ||[[1996 African Cup of Nations]]
|-
| 3 || 27 January 1996 || [[FNB Stadium]], [[Johannesburg]], [[South Africa]]|| {{fb|Algeria}}|| '''2'''–1 || 2–1 || [[1996 African Cup of Nations]]
|-
| 4 || 31 January 1996 || [[FNB Stadium]], [[Johannesburg]], [[South Africa]]|| {{fb|Ghana}}|| '''1'''–0 || 3–0 || [[1996 African Cup of Nations]]
|-
| 5 || 31 January 1996 || [[FNB Stadium]], [[Johannesburg]], [[South Africa]]|| {{fb|Ghana}}|| '''3'''–1 || 3–1 || [[1996 African Cup of Nations]]
|-
| 6 || 18 September 1996 || [[Johannesburg Stadium|Athletics Stadium]], [[Johannesburg]], [[South Africa]]|| {{fb|Australia}}|| '''1'''–0 || 2–0 || Four Nations Cup
|-
| 7 || 28 April 1999 || [[Idrætsparken]], [[Copenhagen]], [[Denmark]]|| {{fb|Denmark}}|| '''1'''–0 || 1–1 || [[International friendly]]
|-
| 8 || 8 October 2003 || [[Setsoto Stadium]], [[Maseru]], [[Lesotho]]|| {{fb|Lesotho|1987}}|| '''3'''–0 || 3–0 || [[International friendly]]
|-
| colspan="12"|<small>''Correct as of 9 March 2017''</small><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesz/zaf-intres1995.html|title=South Africa - International Matches 1992-1995|website=[[RSSSF]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesz/zaf-intres2000.html|title=South Africa - International Matches 1996-2000|website=[[RSSSF]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesz/zaf-intres2005.html|title=South Africa - International Matches 2001-2005|website=[[RSSSF]]}}</ref>
|-
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{NFT player|pid=6163}}

{{Navboxes
| title       = South Africa squads
| bg          = #F7EB29
| fg          = #006400
| bordercolor = #006400
| list1  = 
{{South Africa Squad 1996 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{South Africa Squad 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup}}
{{South Africa Squad 1998 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{South Africa Squad 1998 World Cup}}
{{South Africa Squad 2000 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{South Africa Squad 2004 Africa Cup of Nations}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Moshoeu, John}}
[[Category:1965 births]]
[[Category:2015 deaths]]
[[Category:Soccer players from Soweto]]
[[Category:Africa Cup of Nations–winning players]]
[[Category:South African men's soccer players]]
[[Category:South Africa men's international soccer players]]
[[Category:South African expatriate men's soccer players]]
[[Category:Fenerbahçe S.K. footballers]]
[[Category:Gençlerbirliği S.K. footballers]]
[[Category:Giant Blackpool players]]
[[Category:Kaizer Chiefs F.C. players]]
[[Category:Bursaspor footballers]]
[[Category:Kocaelispor footballers]]
[[Category:Men's association football midfielders]]
[[Category:1996 African Cup of Nations players]]
[[Category:1998 African Cup of Nations players]]
[[Category:1997 FIFA Confederations Cup players]]
[[Category:1998 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:2000 African Cup of Nations players]]
[[Category:2004 African Cup of Nations players]]
[[Category:Süper Lig players]]
[[Category:AmaZulu F.C. players]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Turkey]]
[[Category:South African expatriate sportspeople in Turkey]]
[[Category:Deaths from stomach cancer in South Africa]]
[[Category:Burials at Westpark Cemetery]]
[[Category:20th-century South African sportsmen]]