TheCable

Former Bafana Bafana coach, Clive Barker, is pained to have lost his “son” John ‘Shoes’ Moshoeu.

Moshoeu, 49, had been suffering from stomach cancer and lost his battle against the disease on Tuesday.

The midfielder won 73 caps and played a key role in South Africa’s 1996 Africa Cup of Nations triumph.

Barker, the coach of the winning side, said he has lost a son more than a footballer in Moshoeu.

“This shall be the worst day of my life, ‘Shoes’ was more like a son to me, and he was a role model to many youngsters,” he told Kickoff.com.

“I went to check on him a few weeks ago. I could see that the strength was gone.

“I always believed he was going to bounce back because he was a strong character, and it was unfortunate when I received the news that he passed away.”

Barker also said that he will always hold great memories of the former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder, during his tenure as Bafana Bafana coach.

“He had great feet, he was a terrific player. I would have ‘Shoes’, Doctor [Khumalo], Helman Mkhelele, John Moeti, Linda Buthelezi and Eric Tinkler in the midfield and we would beat any team in the world.

“Football is poor without Shoes. My condolences to his family and the whole football fraternity.”