WINDHOEK – Former Brave Warriors stalwart defender and one of Namibia’s most decorated footballers, Mohammed ‘Slice’ Ouseb has wished former South African club Kaizer Chiefs teammate Neil Tovey a speedy recovery after Tovey suffered three heart attacks on Tuesday morning.
Tovey, who captained Bafana Bafana to a 2-0 1996 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) triumph over Tunisia, was late yesterday still in intensive care in a Durban hospital, while no further details on the 52-year-old’s condition were revealed. Kickoff.com, however, reported that Tovey had to be repeatedly resuscitated on Tuesday morning.
Speaking to New Era Sport yesterday, Ouseb who played alongside Tovey at Chiefs for about two years, expressed shock at the news and was quick to warmheartedly wish Tovey a fast recuperation.
“I really hope it’s nothing serious and he gets better very soon. He is one of the very few humble human beings that I know and was one of the very guys who made my stay at Kaizer Chiefs much easier. Since I was in a new country and had to adapt to new cultures, Tovey – as the captain then – would many a time go out of his way to make you feel at home and part of the family,” said Ouseb.
“Playing alongside him will forever remain one of my career highlights. Just imagine playing with a guy who captained his country to the 1996 Afcon victory and was highly rated defender in the South African premiership, I really learned a lot from him as a player and as an individual. He was very supportive on and off the pitch, I wish him well,” reminisced Ouseb.
News about Tovey follows hot on the heels of reports earlier this week that John “Shoes” Moshoeu – another South African football legend – is fighting for his life in a Johannesburg hospital.