Orlando Pirates fans to honour Senzo Meyiwa before MTN8 final

Orlando Pirates supporters will pay tribute to the late Senzo Meyiwa by visiting his family in Umlazi before Saturday’s MTN8 final against Mamelodi Sundowns at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

The Buccaneers’ fans will meet at Durban South Beach at about 10am before travelling to the former goalkeeper’s home, where they plan to present funds collected for the Meyiwa family.

The tribute will reflect the lasting importance of Meyiwa to Orlando Pirates, whose supporters continue to regard him as a central figure in the club’s history.

Meyiwa played a key role in the team’s run of back-to-back trebles, helping Pirates win six major trophies between 2010 and 2012. He also produced a series of memorable penalty saves during the club’s run to the 2013 CAF Champions League final, further establishing his place in the folklore of the Soweto giants.

Prominent Pirates supporter Phillip Jwara said supporters had previously agreed to raise money for Meyiwa’s family whenever the club played a cup final in KwaZulu-Natal.

“As Pirates supporters, we committed ourselves before to raise funds we will donate to the Meyiwa family each time our beloved club plays a cup final in KZN, as we did previously,” Jwara told KickOff.

He appealed to supporters to contribute whatever they could before the planned visit.

“We are pleading with every Pirates fan to donate what they can afford, so that around 10am on Saturday we can gather at the South Beach, before leaving for Umlazi to the Meyiwa family, where we will leave them with the little that we have gathered.”

Jwara said the family knew about the planned visit and that even a small contribution would carry significance.

“The family is aware we are coming; whatever amount we manage to raise will make a difference. It will show Senzo’s father that as Pirates fans we will always be with him.”

More than a decade after Meyiwa’s death, the case remains unresolved. Jwara said the lack of a conclusion had prolonged the pain experienced by the goalkeeper’s family, while supporters continued to stand behind them.

“Meyiwa left his kids whilst they were two years of age. They are now 16 years old, but there is still no conclusion to the Meyiwa case. But we are right behind the Meyiwa family. But we have decided to leave everything in God’s hands,” Jwara concluded.