Ramatsiyi Moholoa

Ramatsiyi Moholoa

Yet another South African soccer great has died.

Roy Fischer, who was instrumental in the formation of Kaizer Chiefs, died in Pretoria yesterday morning after a long illness.

Fischer's death comes hardly a month after the death of former Arcadia and Moroka Swallows striker Thomas "Who's Fooling Who" Hlongwane.

Fischer joined Kaizer "Chincha Guluva" Motaung in 1969 after he formed Kaizer XI, which was later renamed Chiefs. Fischer was recruited by Motaung from Pretoria Sundowns.

"It's sad that Roy is no more. We are all shattered by his death," said Ingle Singh, who was with Fischer at Kaizer XI when it was formed.

"Roy was one of the greatest soccer players who contributed to the growth of the sport in South Africa. He was one of those guys who made soccer exciting.

"It is unfortunate that he died at the time when the country was preparing to host the historic 2010 World Cup."

Fischer was one of the coloured players who went to the South African Soccer Federation after Bethuel Morolo took over as president of the National Professional Soccer League.

This was after Morolo unilaterally banned coloured players from playing in the NPSL. Funeral arrangements are still being finalised by the family.