Lucas Moripe: The Masterpiece of SA Football Leaves a Legacy

‘Masterpieces’ Lucas Moripe passed away at his Atteridgeville home on Tuesday at his senior year of 71.

His style of play was associated with charisma, skill and the golden era of South African football’s defenders and goalkeepers feared him.

Moripe, who gained reputation during the 1970s golden age of South African football is widely considered one of the nation’s best players.

A roadway in Atteridgeville bears his name in remembrance of his legacy. The Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium replaced the Atteridgeville Super Stadium in 2010. He frequently went to the stadium to see Mamelodi Sundowns games. 

SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns, two PSL teams, call the 30,000seat stadium home.

In September as part of this year’s Heritage Month events former Sundowns captains Alpheus “Go” Mabusela, Daniel “Mambush” Mudau, Hlompho Kekana, and Surprise Moriri were all made Moripe a visit at his residence in Atteridgeville.

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Moripe joined the Pretoria Callies in 1971 and guided them to a number of noteworthy wins over the Orlando Pirates, Pimville United Brothers and Kaizer Chiefs according to South African History Online.

He received the most coveted Player of the Year title from the National Professional Soccer League in 1973. He competed against a chosen British All Stars Xl team captained by Rodney Marsh in the NPSL Invitation Xl that year.

He won the 1973 Sportsman of the Year award for his performance and he also played for Caroline Hill in Hong Kong.

Before knee injuries interrupted Moripe’s playing career in the late 1980s, he played for the Orlando Pirates and the Pretoria Callies.

Moripe joined the Pirates in 1981 although he was nearing the end of his playing days and did not stay with the Buccaneers for very long due to a chronic knee problem.

Moripe was reportedly limited to a wheelchair in the last years of his life following a slight stroke. Moripe whose health had rece