Former teammate Thabo Mngomeni has paid a glowing tribute to fellow Orlando Pirates legend John Moeti who he hailed as one of the best captains to have led the Buccaneers.
Moeti passed away at the age of 55 on Monday morning following a battle with a long-term illness.
The dynamic Moeti was part of the successful Buccaneers side to lift the CAF Champions League in 1995, before later lifting the African Cup of Nations with Bafana Bafana under Clive Barker in 1996.
READ | Decorated Bafana, Pirates legend John Moeti dies
"I'm at a loss for words, you just gave me an upper cut," a distraught Mngomeni tells KickOff.
"It's been a long time since I've seen him, perhaps two years ago.
"It's very rare to find a person like him coming from Ekasi. He liked to see things being done by the book.
"He didn't drink or smoke, but he could chill with everybody.
"When it comes to football, he really lived for it, he meant business all the time.
"Remember, he was small in stature, but that was compensated for by his football brain that made up for what he lacked in height.
"He was a quick thinker when it came to positioning himself.
"Short as he was, he could control the pace of a game, while being a good motivator.
"He wasn't that skilful, but he had the energy and all the basics.
"He could dictate the pace of the game, and I played a few games with him."
Mngomeni, who himself led Pirates to a league title in 2001 hailed Moeti as one of the most intrumental captains that the club produced.
"Every time I played with him, it meant that day things were going to be simpler for me on the pitch," Mngomeni added.
"It's much easier when you have someone like him next to you. He will always compliment where you are lacking.
"I think he is one of the best captains to have led Orlando Pirates. He had all the qualities you need to be a captain."
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