FAREWELL CHIPPA, THANK YOU
MEN come and go but the footprints left behind shall never be wiped away by the rain.
Philemon Masinga may be gone but he is not forgotten.
His legacy will live on. I was devastated yesterday when I heard about the passing away of the legendary Masinga.
What a legend!
What a man!
A very accomplished individual yet so humble. A true gentleman of the game. When he was playing I was still a kid but I saw some of his best football.
At his best, Masinga was lethal. Whenever I wanted his insight, Masinga was always available. He never gave me attitude.
He treated everyone with the utmost respect.
Masinga was a special individual. I conducted several interviews with him and he always spoke sense. I’m not saying this because he is no longer with us, I’m just stating the facts.
His contributions to South African football will never be forgotten.
The wonder goal he scored against Congo will always be ranked as a highlight in Masinga’s career. Bafana Bafana needed a hero in that game and Masinga raised his hand and rescued.
It was a magnificent goal. It was a cracker. It was a stunner. It was a scorcher.
They were in pursuit of qualifying for their maiden Fifa World Cup and Masinga produced a moment of magic. The whole country was in a jovial mood.
History was made and made in style. Masinga will always be remembered as one of the most accomplished marksmen the country has ever produced.
He is fifth on the list of the all-time leading scorers for Bafana behind Benni McCarthy (31 goals), Shaun Bartlett (29 goals) and Katlego Mphela (23) and Bernard Parker (23).
Masinga netted 18 goals in 58 appearances for Bafana.
Masinga was a natural finisher. He was not skilful but he was all about goals.
Masinga suffered a barrage of criticism during his career with Bafana but never succumbed to that pressure. He was jeered but that didn’t bring him down.
Jomo Sono described him as someone with big match temperament who was very strong mentally.
He showed that when the masses booed him.
Masinga responded by scoring goals. Players like Thamsanqa Gabuza of Orlando Pirates can take a lot of lessons from the late Masinga.
Gabuza has been the victim of the boo boys. Earlier this season Gabuza couldn’t take it anymore as he decided to substitute himself.
You never saw that with Masinga. He only knew one way to respond and that was by banging in goals. May his soul rest in peace.
The legend won’t be booed in heaven because he will meet his former teammates in John “Shoes” Moshoeu and Sizwe Motaung.
They all helped Bafana Bafana to lift the Africa Cup of Nations in 1996. We will certainly miss your insight, humility and your sense of humour. I’m sure God will comfort his family in this difficult period. You ran you own race Chippa. Your journey was an inspiring one and you will forever be in our memories. As I said in my opening statement, a man may come and man may go but the footprint left by them shall never be washed away by rain.
Lala ngokuthula Chippa!