Tovey, Barker pay tribute to 'resilient' Masinga
South Africa’s football community bid farewell to a legend of the game this weekend, as Phil ‘Chippa’ Masinga passed away at 49 - following a short battle with cancer.
He will be remembered as a key player of Bafana Bafana’s golden generation, which dominated the mid 1990’s, winning the 1996 African Cup of Nations and qualifying for the 1998 FIFA World Cup - which was a first for South Africa.
Between 1992 and 2001, Masinga played 58 matches for Bafana, 88 games for Jomo Cosmos and 108 for Sundowns. He also had a two year stint in the English Premier League, notching up 31 games at Leeds United.
Perhaps most importantly, he left an indelible mark on South African football, scoring the crucial winner over Congo Brazzaville in a World Cup qualifier that saw Bafana book their spot at 1998 World Cup.
His prominence in those crucial years didn’t come easily tough, as Masinga had become a target of “Boo Boys”, fans who’d taken to jeering the striker.
Neil Tovey, who captained the national side under Clive Barker, paid tribute to Masinga and the way in which he handled those difficult times.
Reflecting on that winning goal over Congo in 1997, Tovey said it was crucial moment in creating history for the national side.
Clive Barker coached Bafana Bafana to glory during the mid 90s and says he will always remember Masinga’s tenacious attitude.
Barker says Masinga will be remembered as an inspiration for other footballers - to keep on fighting when times get tough.
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