Pretoria Callies chairman pays tribute to late SA legend Lucas Moripe
Pretoria Callies chairman Moses Malada has paid a heartfelt tribute to the late SA football legend Lucas ‘Masterpieces’ Moripe, who once graced the field for The Romans and Orlando Pirates.
The iconic figure, who passed away on Tuesday at his home in Atteridgeville, was a towering presence in the history of South African football.
Moripe had been ailing for some time and was confined to a wheelchair in recent years after suffering a mild stroke. This was exacerbated by the lingering effects of a long-term knee injury that prematurely ended his playing career in the late 1980s.
Malada, a long-time admirer of Moripe’s contributions to the sport, expressed profound sorrow at the loss of such a remarkable individual.
He acknowledged Moripe’s passing as a significant loss to South African football and extended his deepest condolences to his family and friends.
PRETORIA CALLIES MOURN LOSS OF LUCAS MORIPE“I have to be honest, I’m devastated because,” an emotional Malada told FARost. “He is one person that always gives me strength, especially when the team is not doing well.
Moses Malada and Lucas ‘Masterpieces’ Moripe. Picture by Pretoria Callies“He would call and say no, ‘don’t give up, push, football is like that’. He was a father; he was an uncle; he was a mentor, you know.”
Callies boss also revealed that Moripe was a constant source of encouragement and support for the team as they continue to fight for promotion to the Betway Premiership.
According to Malada, the Pretoria Callies players have been reaching out to express their condolences and reaffirm their commitment to honouring Moripe’s legacy.
“I can confirm that even the boys [Callies players] this morning were sending me messages trying to check out how I feel as a person. They also expressed how seriously they want to work for him,” stated Malada.
“Some of these kids had heard of him and met with him when we had our first game of the [2024/25] season [in the Motsepe Foundation Championship]. We played the game at the Lucas stadium against Leruma United. We asked him to come and join us for the game. He watched the game and met the players. He encouraged them to do better for the season and whatnot. So the team was also very close to his heart.”
LUCAS MORIPE: THE GOD OF FOOTBALLHailing from Atteridgeville, Gauteng, Moripe was arguably one of South Africa’s greatest footballers of the 1970s and 1980s. His extraordinary talent earned him the moniker “The God of Football” from adoring fans.
Moripe’s journey to football stardom began with Pretoria Callies in 1971, according to South African History Online. His exceptional performances culminated in being named the NPSL Player of the Year in 1973. That same year, he represented the NPSL Invitation XI against a British All-Stars XI led by Rodney Marsh. Moripe’s impressive display earned him the title of Sportsman of the Year and a stint with Caroline Hills in Hong Kong.
In 1981, Moripe joined Pirates. However, his playing career was curtailed by a persistent knee injury.
Meanwhile, the renaming of the stadium in Atteridgeville to The Lucas ‘Masterpieces’ Moripe Stadium backing in 2010 is the second honour bestowed upon him, following the naming of a street after him.
Tributes continue to pour in for Moripe, with Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United among the PSL teams to offer their condolences to the Moripe family and loved ones.
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