Jerry Sikhosana criticises Orlando Pirates over treatment of club legends

Former Orlando Pirates striker Jerry Sikhosana has criticised the club for what he describes as unfair treatment after his playing career, saying he was once forced to queue for a match ticket despite his status as a club legend.

Sikhosana became a celebrated figure at Orlando Pirates after scoring the decisive goal away to ASEC Mimosas in the second leg of the 1995 CAF Champions League final. His strike secured the Buccaneers’ only CAF Champions League title.

The 57-year-old joined Orlando Pirates from Witbank Aces in 1993 and played for the Soweto club until 1998. He later returned for a second spell during 2000 and 2001.

Across his time with the club, the former Bafana Bafana striker scored 44 goals in 125 appearances, establishing himself as one of Orlando Pirates’ notable goalscorers.

However, Sikhosana says his contribution has not been properly recognised. Speaking on the Kasi Jam podcast, part of the Podcast & Chill network, he recalled an occasion when he had to buy a ticket alongside ordinary supporters.

“When you look at the Pirates jersey with a star, the first impression should be, ‘Thank you Jerry Sikhosana, you gave us a star’,” he said.

“You’d go to the stadium and queue with the supporters to go and buy a match ticket. I swear to God that’s what’s happening.”

Sikhosana said he was in Durban with former goalkeeper Brian Baloyi when he encountered Pirates media officer Thandi Merafe. He later saw former Orlando Pirates captains Edward Motale and Lucky Lekgwathi wearing official club tracksuits for the match.

“I then saw Eddie [Edward Motale] and Lucky [Lekgwathi], and they were wearing these new Pirates tracksuits. You could see these are the two legends that were picked for that game,” he said.

“They were like, ‘and what about the uniform?’, and I asked them ‘what uniform? I’m not a Pirates legend. I’m just wearing my clothes’.”

Sikhosana said he did not expect to wear Orlando Pirates merchandise, but only wanted to receive a ticket as a former player. Instead, he received assistance from Kaizer Chiefs Marketing & Commercial Director Jessica Motaung.

“[Kaizer] Chiefs legends wore their own uniform. I wouldn’t wear the Pirates merchandise,” he said.

“All I wanted there was to ask for a ticket as a Pirates legend, but I was deprived. Chiefs gave me [a ticket].”

He recalled meeting Motaung as he was leaving, after she had been told that he was looking for tickets.

“She turned and asked how I was and said, ‘Don’t worry, we know who you are, you can be black on the outside, but we know how you are inside’,” he said.

Sikhosana questioned why he received greater consideration from Orlando Pirates’ rivals than from the club he had represented.

“Where are the people I served? I mean a person from Chiefs gave me attention, whereas I played for Pirates, but the same team ignored me,” he said.

“I got special treatment from a rival, which is the same team I used to destroy. Where are the people I served during the derby?”

Sikhosana now owns Tembisa Hollywood Thunder FC, who compete in the ABC Motsepe League.