South African football legend Lucas ‘Masterpieces’ Moripe has passed away.
The former Pretoria Callies and Orlando Pirates player passed away at his home in Atteridgeville, Pretoria on Wednesday due to poor health.
Moripe was a revered player who wowed fans with his football prowess in the 1970s and 1980s, earning the name “The God of football” when he turned out for the Callies in the NPSL.
He started his career in 1971 with the Callies before he was crowned Player of the Year and Sportsman of the Year in 1973 after an impressive performance for the NPSL Invitation XI against a selected British All Stars XI.
Where else did Moripe play?
Moripe, described as probably the greatest footballer South Africa produced, had a short stint in Hong Kong where he played for the Caroline Hill FC, but could not showcase his talent on a global scale due to the sports boycott of the apartheid government.
He joined Orlando Pirates in 1981 but could not unleash his full potential as he was already suffering from a knee injury, which forced him to retire shortly after.
The legendary footballer was honoured in 2010 when the Atteridgeville Super Stadium was named Lucas ‘Masterpieces’ Moripe Stadium to celebrate him.
