Former Bafana Bafana captain Neil Tovey has paid tribute to South African fans and officials for the role they played in his glowing career.
Tovey remains the only captain to win the Africa Cup of Nations with Bafana Bafana in 1996.
'Mokoko' was amongst South African legends that were inducted into the South African Football Hall of Fame during a prestigious event held at the Montecasino in Johannesburg on Wednesday.
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Jomo Sono, Shakes Mashaba, Teenage Dladla, Desiree Ellis, Ace Ntsoelengoe, and Lucas Radebe were among the legends honoured during the event for their achievements and success in their respective football careers.
Tovey singled out his brother Mark as one of his mentors who contributed a lot to his success in the game.
"I am extremely proud to be here. If you look at the inductees how talented they are and to be part of this group I am very happy," Tovey told KickOff.com during a one-on-one at the event.
"I want to thank everyone who has supported me in my career, my family from Mark my mentor to the clubs I served, including AmaZulu. Bra K (Kaizer Motaung) at Kaizer Chiefs, the PSL, SAFA, and the coaches I have worked with, including Clive Barker. I am happy that I am still alive and able to thank everybody," says the 62-year-old.
"Also, special thanks to the fans. It is the fans that make us popular, especially in this country. They lift us when we are down. The fans are very special to us."
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Erstwhile Bafana coaches Shakes Mashaba and Jomo Sono shed tears of joy after also being inducted into the South African Football Hall of Fame.
Of note is that 'Bra J' became the first coach to lead South Africa in a World Cup tournament, doing so during the 2002 showpiece in Korea/Japan.
"I want to thank Johnny [Burger, Chairperson of SA Hall of Fame] today. Johnny, thank you very much and your committee for the wonderful job you have done. It is so touching to receive your flowers whilst still alive. South Africans tend to give you flowers when you are dead. But today, even the day I was told would be inducted into the Hall of Fame I had tears coming down my eyes. The reason was that some of our colleagues like Ace Ntsoelengoe, the late Ace Ntsoelengoe - may his soul rest in peace - could not be here", said Sono.