Kaizer Chiefs stalwart Johannes ‘Ryder’ Mofokeng passed away on Saturday at the age of 68.
The former defender spent 15 years with Amakhosi - captaining the first team for 10 of those - and won 25 major honours during that time, including five League titles.
He arrived at the club in 1970, scouted by Kaizer Motaung’s brother Buti from White City Lucky Brothers. After three seasons in the reserves, Mofokeng broke into the first team and never looked back.
Ryder was part of the Chiefs team that won their first League title in 1974, being a mainstay of a defence which conceded just 27 League goals, and was captain when Amakhosi won the ‘quadruple’ under Joe Frickleton in 1984.
Upon his retirement, Mofokeng continued to serve the club in various capacities; the most recent as a senior member of the development structures.
“Ryder’s loss is unbelievable,” Chiefs chairman Motaung said on the club’s official website. “Words cannot describe how I feel at this moment. Ryder was one of us and served the club with distinction as a player and staff member.
“I wish to thank the Lord for having afforded us the opportunity to share in the life and times of this legend. His is the name engraved and cast in stone in the history books of Kaizer Chiefs. He achieved it all as a football legend. He won and lifted many trophies for us. I wish at this stage to express my deepest, heartfelt condolences to his family.”