Former Orlando Pirates striker Jerry Sikhosana has expressed his frustration with the club, claiming he hasn't received the recognition he deserves for his contributions to the team.

Known as ‘Legs of Thunder’, Sikhosana became a fan favorite after scoring the critical goal against ASEC Mimosas in the second leg of the 1995 CAF Champions League final, which secured the Buccaneers' only title in the tournament, cementing his place in the club’s history.

At 57, Sikhosana joined Pirates from Witbank Aces in 1993 and played until 1998, returning for a second stint from 2000 to 2001. He scored 44 goals in 125 appearances during his time with the club.

Despite his achievements, Sikhosana feels that the club has not honored him as a legend since his retirement. He expressed his disappointment during an appearance on the Kasi Jam podcast from the Podcast & Chill network.

He recalls a time when he attended a match in Durban and had to wait in line like any other fan to buy a ticket, which disappointed him as he expected support from the club due to his role in its successful history. He remarked, “When you see the Pirates jersey with a star, the first thought should be, ‘Thank you Jerry Sikhosana, you gave us a star.’”

Sikhosana also mentioned meeting Pirates media officer Thandi Merafe and former players Edward Motale and Lucky Lekgwathi, who were both wearing new Pirates tracksuits, indicating that recognized legends receive special treatment—a courtesy he felt was denied to him. His primary request was simply to obtain a match ticket as a former player.

He praised Kaizer Chiefs marketing and commercial director Jessica Motaung for assisting him in getting a VIP suite ticket, saying, “I got special treatment from a rival, the same team I used to defeat. Where are the people I served during the derby?”

Sikhosana's remarks have underscored his dissatisfaction with how Pirates recognizes its former players, raising important questions about the treatment of those who contributed to the club's success after their careers end. He continues to be active in football and owns Tembisa Hollywood Thunder FC, which competes in the ABC Motsepe League.

Source: IDiskiTimes