Football legends such as Dr Jomo Sono, Ephraim Shakes Mashaba, Malombo Lechaba, Professor Ronnie Scholes and many more came to pay their last respect to Lucas ‘ Masterpieces’ Moripe who was laid to rest at Lotus Gardens Cemetery in Atteridgeville.Photo by Raymond Morare
DailySun Football legend Dr Jomo Somo during the funeral service of Lucas Masterpieces Moripe at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium in Tshwane on Thursday, 28 November. Video by Aaron Dube pic.twitter.com/eXysbMAjqN
— Aaron Dube (@AronDube) November 28, 2024FOOTBALL Legends bid farewell to one of their own, Modimo wa Bolo.
The legends described him as one of the greatest players ever to grace the field. They praised his football ability, skill and uniqueness as rare.
Former Orlando Pirates legend, Dr Jomo Sono, praised the late Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe (74) during his funeral service at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville, Tshwane on Thursday, 28 November.
He said it was the first time he heard a professional football team talking about one person from Joburg to Pretoria, wondering how they would mark him.
“I was a young boy just being promoted, a 15-year-old. I wanted to see this man. I wanted to see this player so bad. To me, it was a dream to see this person who was scaring a big team like Orlando Pirates,” he said.
He said it was a dream come true after he saw Masterpieces, and it was a dream again for him to play against him.
“This man was praised. The stadium was named Lucas Masterpieces Moripe. It’s so touching today and for the first time in the world that a football player is buried in a stadium named after him,” he said.
Dr Sono said he strongly believes Masterpieces Moripe should be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
“We need to support each other and love each other as legends. We can’t afford to be divided. Otherwise, we will never be involved in the mainstream of the economy of football. Masterpieces, rest in peace, we really appreciate what you have done for football in this country,” he said.
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Former teammate Jan Malombo Lechaba said Masterpieces Moripe made everyone love football.
“Former Orlando Pirates legend Edward Motale asked Masterpieces Moripe that he had never seen him heading a ball, ‘Have you ever scored with a head?’ Masterpieces replied ‘No, I’m too different from other people. My head is not for heading the ball but for thinking,'” he said.
He added that Masterpieces was a good, handsome man and all the women used to love him.
PSL representative, Ronnie Schloss, said: “He has been an icon in the football industry.
He had the natural talent that earned him the name Masterpieces, symbolising his artistic mastery on the pitch,” he said.
President of Pretoria Callies, Moses Malada, said: “He was a master of his own craft. He fulfilled and satisfied his football fans. He inspired millions of young boys in South Africa to dream.”
Former teammate at Pretoria Bantu Callies, Ben Mathe, said: “All the leaders, please take care of us as the former players from Tshwane. He was a great player.”
Former Orlando Pirates player, Aubrey Lekwane, said: “It was sad to lose him because we all learnt from him. We watched him play and he encouraged us in football.”
Former SuperSport United defender Japie Motale said: “It’s sad losing him. Masterpieces Moripe is now resting. I’m very fortunate as I have been working at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium; I have been able to see him regularly.”
Dr Charley Pietersen, author of the book Lucas Masterpieces Moripe, observed: “We did discuss this day with him, now it has come.”
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