Former Orlando Pirates defender and esteemed SABC Sports Analyst Papi Khomane, along with his mother, Rita Khomane, died in a devastating car accident this Saturday. The Orlando Pirates Football Club officially confirmed this heartbreaking news through a statement.
“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,” the statement reads in part.
Papi Khomane’s impressive football career
The Pirates fondly describe Khomane, who made 150 appearances for the team during his commendable 9-year career, as a man of few words but with performances on the field that echoed volumes.
“His leadership, both in demeanor and play, was a guiding force for the team,” the club stated.
Khomane, having also represented the national team, was the son of the former Orlando Pirates stalwart Yster Khomane, a key player for the Sea Robbers in the 1970s.
“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.”
Social media has been flooded with heartfelt messages of condolences for the Khomane family.
Remembering Other Pirates Players Lost to Car Accidents
Tragically, Papi Khomane joins a sorrowful list of Orlando Pirates players whose lives were claimed in car accidents. Clifford Moleko, Lesley Manyathela, Gift Leremi, and Bheka Phakathi are among the players who faced untimely ends in similar circumstances.
