Leeds United legend Lucas Radebe once had a miraculous escape after being shot in the back in his native South Africa. Radebe came from humble origins, growing up in the rough area of Soweto, Johannesburg, before captaining his nation at two World Cups.
Shooting Incident in 1991
In 1991, while out shopping for his mother in Soweto, Radebe was randomly shot in his car. He initially did not realize he had been hit. Speaking to FourFourTwo, Radebe recalled: "By 1991, I was in my early 20s and had returned to Soweto. My mother Emily ran a spaza shop, making a living by selling convenience items like food and drinks to the locals in our area.
"That day had started just like any other. As usual, I was heading off to buy drinks in bulk, which my mother would then resell. I was going about my business a few blocks from my house, when I heard a loud bang. It felt like my back was on fire. I was in the car with my younger brother Lazarus, and suddenly my leg went numb. I realised I’d been shot. I saw blood all over the seat.
"I thought I’d become yet another victim of gun violence. Many of my childhood friends died or were sent to jail. When my brother rushed me to hospital, I feared I was going to be paralysed for the rest of my life. But, miraculously, when the doctors started to examine me, they found the bullet had only gone through the flesh and managed to miss all of my vital organs."
Road to Recovery
Radebe added: "Not a lot of people would have survived that – I was extremely fortunate to be alive. After nearly losing my life, you’d imagine an investigation would have been launched, but there was no follow-up from the police. They turned a blind eye to violent crime.
"When I was recovering from surgery in the hospital, my first question to the doctors was, ‘Am I going to be able to play football again?’ In the township, football had always been our escape from the hardships of life. It was the one thing we loved."
The culprit was never found. Radebe later said: "To be honest I don't know what the motive was, there was a history of players being shot for changing clubs but, with me, I was just a few blocks from my house when I heard a gun shot and I realised I'd been shot."
Career and Legacy
Radebe made a quick and full recovery and moved to Leeds United three years later alongside compatriot Phil Masinga. He admitted that the shooting partly spurred his decision to leave South Africa in 1994, despite winning the National Soccer League in 1989, 1991, and 1992. At Leeds, he became a club legend, making over 250 appearances and earning the nickname "The Chief."
Internationally, Radebe earned 70 caps for South Africa, captaining the team at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups. His crowning achievement was winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 1996. Now 57, he will be cheering for South Africa as they face hosts Mexico in the 2026 World Cup opener on June 11, hoping for a first knockout stage appearance.
