Former Orlando Pirates captain Papi Khomane has sadly passed away in a car accident on Saturday, the Buccaneers confirmed.
Khomane, 48, represented the Buccaneers over 150 times after joining the club from Jomo Cosmos in 1998.
The son of Bucs legend Yster Khomane was on the books of the club between 1998 and 2007, and also represented Bafana Bafana.
However, on Saturday he sadly passed away in a car accident, alongside his mother Mrs Rita Khomane, as confirmed by the club.
During his time at the club, the tough as a teak defender won two league titles between the 2000/01 and 2002/03 seasons and the BP Top Eight also in 2001. He replaced Mbulelo Mabizela as the skipper of the club, who joined Tottenham Hotspurs at the beginning of the 2003/04 season.
Khomane was part of Bafana side that claimed the bronze medal in the Africa Cup of Nations finals in 2000, where Trot Moloto’s boys beat Tunisia 6-5 on penalties after the game had finished 2-2 during the extra time.
According to unconfirmed reports another uncle of Khomane also passed away, as the family were on their way to a funeral.
Pirates statement in full:
Orlando Pirates Football Club is saddened to learn of the passing away of former captain Papi Khomane.
The Club was informed by his father and another Bucs legend, Yster Khomane who confirmed that both his son and his wife Mrs Rita Khomane were involved in a motor vehicle accident today.
Papi was a man of few words, but his presence on the pitch spoke volumes. His transformation from a quiet individual into a formidable leader during games was nothing short of inspirational.
During his nine years with us, Papi made over 150 appearances, each time exemplifying what it means to be a Buccaneer. His leadership, both in demeanour and play, was a guiding force for the team.
His journey with the Club was not just about his contributions on the field; it was about continuing a legacy. Papi and his father Yster, who played for the Buccaneers in the late 70s, were one of the rare father-son duos in the club’s history.
This familial legacy is a testament to the deep connection the Khomane family has with the club.
However, we cannot speak of Papi and Yster Khomane without honouring the remarkable woman behind their successes, Mrs. Rita Khomane.
Rita was the cornerstone of support for both her husband and son. Her unwavering presence at our home matches was a testament to her dedication and love for the game and our club.
On behalf of Orlando Pirates, we convey our heartfelt and deepest sympathy to the Khomane family and pledge our profound moral support.
We, at iDiski Times, would also like to express our condolences to the Khomane family, everyone at Orlando Pirates and the broader SA football fraternity.
