Latest news with #VaalProfessionals
The Citizen
28-04-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Lehoko laid to rest
SHARPEVILLE.- It was a gathering of former soccer greats at George Thabe Stadium in Sharpeville on Saturday. The soccer greats came to pay their last respect to one of their own, Simon 'Bull' Lehoko. Lehoko was laid to rest at the Vanderbijlpark Cemetery. His funeral service was held at George Thabe Stadium, the venue that happened to be his happy hunting ground during his playing days and also as a coach. Lehoko's funeral was attended his former teammates from Kaizer Chiefs and Vaal Professionals including the ex-professional players he played against with. This includes Orlando Pirates and Moroka Swallows former players. The Vaal community also came in numbers to bid farewell to Lehoko, who was popular known as 'Bra Bull' in football circles. Kaizer Chiefs was represented by the club's supporters chairman, Cecil Motaung, who came with some of the former club's great. Motaung said the club's chairman Kaizer Motaung will always be grateful for Lehoko's contribution at the club. It was down to memory lane trip with some former professional players recalled how Lehoko made them believe that they can beat any team in the league including the likes of Orlando Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs with unknown players in the South African football. Speaker after speaker described Lehoko as a down to earth person who liked his own space. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
21-04-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Farewell Bra Bull
SEDIBENG.- Zakes' Sports Corner want to take this opportunity to join South Africa football fraternity to mourn the passing of one of greatest football players to have to graced our football. The passing of this former Kaizer Chiefs legend, Simon Lehoko, has brought lot of emotions and fond memories to Zakes' Sports Corner, I had a close and personal relationship with Ntate Lehoko. Zakes' Sports Corner didn't anticipate that one day I would be talking about 'Bra Bull' in past tense. Gone without a goodbye! I wrote a series of articles about Lehoko when he coached Vaal Professionals and even after he retired from football. Bra Bull would ask his son to call me to come to see him at his home in Sharpeville. He would share some great memories about South Africa football history and the formation of Vaal Professionals from Real X20 FC and how Orlando Pirates would come to play against Sharpeville selected squad at George Thabe Stadium. Zakes' Sports Corner, however, must confess that Ntate Lehoko was not a happy man, too much happened which resulted to the downfall of the mighty Vaal Professionals. The club ownership dispute was one of the things that saw the end of 'Setla' in South African football. I would sit down with him as he related to yours truly, Zakes' Sports Corner, what went wrong in South African football. Despite being on a wheelchair Bra Bull was still strong and still remembered everything like it happened yesterday. He had a sharp memory, remembering everything that happened both as a player and coach, he was well informed not only about football but life in general. I used to admire his intellect and wisdom. Bra Bull was not just a football person. In fact, he was a teacher by qualification. He goes without saying goodbye, and for us to have the last conversation before his departure. Farwell Bra Bull, farewell! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
