2oceans Vibe

Football legend Eddie Lewis has passed away in a Johannesburg hospital at age 76 after a battle with cancer. Lewis will be famously remembered for his many contributions to the sport around the world but none more so than his feat of coaching two major clubs at the same time – Kaizer Chiefs and Wits University.

During the time in which he coached the two clubs, Lewis would religiously attend the Wits games in the old NFL league on Saturdays and then sit on the Chiefs bench for NPSL games on Sunday.

Eddie had a wonderful, and at times testing, coaching career during his 40 years in South Africa. He enjoyed success with clubs such as Chiefs, Wits, Moroka Swallows, Amazulu and Giant Blackpool.

Lewis also managed 24 appearances for Manchester United and scored a total of 10 goals in what became known as the “Busby Babes” era after the tragic Munich air disaster in 1958. But, with the club packed with stars, he never managed to secure a regular first-team berth in the team.

Later in his career he acted as a technical adviser to Swallows and worked for SuperSport as an analyst, while still refusing to give up his sessions in the gym.

He started playing the game as a centre-forward or wing, but finished his playing career as a full-back. Many felt that move produced his best football.

Premier Soccer League chief operations officer, Ronnie Schloss, who was the president of Wits when Lewis coached the club, remarked that “He had a great insight into the game.”

“He knew exactly what he wanted from his players. You did not always agree with Eddie, but you always respected him,” continued Schloss.

Eddie’s fair and non-biased analysis will be greatly missed within South African footballing circles.

[Source: SuperSport]