Fans, clubs and players have come together to pay tribute to Dutch football great and former Sundowns boss, Johan Neeskens.
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The story
Dutch football legend and former Mamelodi Sundowns coach Johan Neeskens, widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of his era, has passed away at the age of 73, confirmed the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) on Monday.
Neeskens reportedly fell ill while working on the KNVB's WorldCoaches project in Algeria, where he served as an ambassador. The cause of his death has not yet been disclosed.
Neeskens, who coached Masandawana from July 2011 to December 2012 without notable success, spent the majority of his playing career at Ajax Amsterdam, winning three consecutive European Cups between 1971 and 1973.
Following his playing days, Neeskens became an assistant coach for the Dutch national team during the 1998 World Cup, where the team finished fourth, and later worked under Frank Rijkaard at his former club, FC Barcelona.
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Mzansi football fans and clubs joined European football in mourning the Neeskens on the Twitter/X timeline:
The Chairman and the Motsepe Family, the Board of Directors, Technical Team, Players, Management, Staff, Supporters of Mamelodi Sundowns FC the entire Yellow Nation express their deepest condolences to Marlis and the entire family as we mourn the loss of former Mamelodi… pic.twitter.com/6LLVhJb6Wy
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) October 7, 2024
Everyone at SuperSport United FC is saddened to learn of the passing of the legendary Johan Neeksen ??
— SuperSport United FC (@SuperSportFC) October 7, 2024
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones during this difficult time ??
May his soul rest In eternal peace. ??#MatsatsantsaUnified pic.twitter.com/NUcC7ad8qt
Some may remember Johan Neeskens from this unfortunate incident.
— Crocodile ??Football ?????????????? (@maetsebane) October 7, 2024
The Dutchman was replaced by Pitso Mosimane in December 2012 Jingles built a dominant Mamelodi Sundowns side.
Rest In Peace Mr Total Football pic.twitter.com/UwH5tfh883
?? ?????? ????????!
— Micky Jnr (@MickyJnr__) October 7, 2024
Former Mamelodi Sundowns coach Johan Neeskens has passed away at age 73.
This happened during a trip in Algeria for World Coaches.
A goal scorer in the FIFA World Cup final of 1974 and former Ajax and FC Barcelona player.
The man Pitso Mosimane… pic.twitter.com/k57ajPumBP
RIP to former Mamelodi Sundowns coach, Johan Neeskens.. The man who scored in 2 world cup finals....the man who was in charge of the 24-0 for powerlines....the man who brought us Alje Schut! https://t.co/dzMBFbl8BM pic.twitter.com/D1uxYvHTMg
— Tshepiso- FIFA CWC Participant ?? (@Tshepi_11_) October 7, 2024
Former Mamelodi Sundowns coach Johan Neeskens, famously known for leading the team to a record 24-0 win over Powerlines in the 2012 Nedbank Cup, has sadly passed away at the age of 73.
— Biwah Bryan (@Biwah67) October 7, 2024
Rest in Peace Neeskens, your legacy remains with the Brazilians pic.twitter.com/LGkaKCLt30
???Rest in Peace
— Football SA (@SAFootClassics) October 7, 2024
Former Mamelodi Sundowns coach Johan Neeskens has passed away at the age of 73. pic.twitter.com/AYwjWVRQNn
The guy that revived Teko Modise's career and changed alot of things at Sundowns#JohanNeeskens https://t.co/A7OBdFawzj
— Tighter B (@B7_Bongz) October 7, 2024
If you heard that Mamelodi Sundowns once scored 24 goals in one match,
— Ntsikelelo Ntsigo Mdalana (@ntsigo_mdalana) October 7, 2024
It was him on the helm.
Condolences to his family ???? pic.twitter.com/LRimEnwSuA
The coach who gave Themba Zwane his big break in the senior team. May his soul rest in peace.
— Sello Elia Molekwa ???? (@SEMolekwa) October 7, 2024
This man welcomed Stuart Baxter to the PSL with a 4-1 drubbing, with a double pivot of Thamsanqa Sangweni and Hlompo Kekana. Yeye Letsholonyane was our lone DM.
— Kubo Kubo (@Bantu_Kubo) October 7, 2024
A few games later, Baxter switched to that trademark 4-4-2 double 6 ???? https://t.co/2gWYgCKXqq
The man who gave Mshishi his PSL debut in the yellow jersey.
— Ama_thegreat HO (@ama_thegreat16) October 7, 2024
RIP legend ?? https://t.co/LjSPE5yNQp
He once left the stadium under a storm of bottles that the Yellow Nation were throwing at him.
— Vuyo. ???? ???? ????. (@OhFlipItsVuyo) October 8, 2024
May his soul rest in peace. He did his part in Sundowns. And he was a great player. https://t.co/E8CKB2bFdn
