Former Orlando Pirates player and coach, Phil Setshedi, who was Clive Barker’s assistant when South Africa won the 1996 African Nations Cup, has sadly passed away, the club have confirmed.
Setshedi, once known as “Mr Clean” or Phil “Mr Jones”, was a sturdy defender for Pirates, and at times contributed with some important goals when the chips were down.
“Orlando Pirates is saddened by the passing of Legend, Phil Jones Setshedi. On behalf of the extended Orlando Pirates family, we convey our heartfelt and deepest sympathy to the Setshedi family. Rest In Peace, Bra Phil,” Pirates stated on social media.
According to former City Press sports editor Sibusiso Mseleku in his column he wrote years ago said about Mr Setshedi.
“He will be remembered for the sterling job he did as player-coach in 1980 when he led the Buccaneers to a 16-match unbeaten streak.
“The run culminated in Pirates lifting the Mainstay Cup by beating Moroka Swallows 3-2 before a packed Orlando Stadium in one of the most memorable cup finals.
“That record stood for over 20 years and was only broken on 22 January 2005 when Pirates defeated Golden Arrows 3-2 at the Johannesburg Stadium under Kosta Papic to go 17 games unbeaten. He was the team manager at the time.”
Unfortunately Setshedi’s time in football ended in a disappointing manner after he was found guilty of match manipulation involving a third division side in 2011.
After being found guilty for offering money to a match referee to help the team he represented win, Setshedi was sentenced to eight years, serving three years in prison and five more were suspended.
We, at iDiski Times, would like to express our condolences to Phil Sethshedi’s friends and football, as well as Orlando Pirates and the wider football fraternity.
