This has been a very sad week for South African football following the passing of former Kaizer Chiefs defender Frank 'Jingles' Pereira and tributes continue to pour in for their hero.
Pereira lost his battle with an illness on Sunday night and former teammates, colleagues and many in the football fraternity have been sending words of comfort to his family and everyone affected by his loss.
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Former Chiefs goalkeeper and coach Joseph 'Banks' Setlhodi has shared his memories about Pereira from the good old days, speaking exclusively to the Siya crew.
"What a great loss that one of Jingles is! When Jingles came to the team (Chiefs), he was playing as a number nine. That's the position he played for Cape Town City. When I started coaching, I was honest with Jingles to tell him that he should stop playing as a number nine because of age. He was a bit old when he joined us and I suggested to him that age was no longer allowing him to run as per the demands of playing as a number nine," said the legendary ex-keeper.
"So, I suggested to him that he should switch to playing as a central defender. Initially, he was reluctant, but I insisted on it. I transformed him from being a number nine to a number five and I tell you, what a great change that was as he became a top defender. The first season in which Jingles played as a number five that was when we won all the trophies, and the year was 1981. We won five out of five trophies. The other one who I changed his position was Shaka Ngcobo. I changed them because being a former goalkeeper, I had the advantage of seeing all the players up field from one end to the other and I knew their strengths and weaknesses. We have lost a great guy in Jingles. But it's a circle man, and we are all going to die one day. May the soul of Jingles rest in peace," concluded the 75-year-old ex-Amakhosi great.
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The PSL has confirmed that a moment of silence will be observed in honour of 'Mama Ka Sibongile', as Pereira was fondly known, ahead of this weekend's DStv Diski Challenge fixtures, as well as next week's DStv Premiership and Motsepe Foundation Championship fixtures.
Soccer Laduma sends heartfelt condolences to the Pereira family during this difficult time.
