Senzo Meyiwa's jersey to be retired
Orlando Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza has announced the goalkeeper's number one jersey at the club will be retired in commemoration of Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa.
"I don't think anyone can replace Senzo and his jersey will never be worn by anyone else again," Khoza said.
Meyiwa, the 27-year-old Pirates captain, was shot dead while visiting his girlfriend in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni, on Sunday evening.
He is the second player to be honoured in this way, with former striker Lesley Manyathela's number 22 Pirates shirt retired after he died in a car accident in 2003.
Meyiwa was set to lead the Buccaneers in the Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday.
Tthe clash has since been postponed.
Khoza flew to Umlazi, Durban, yesterday afternoon to meet the Meyiwa family.
"The family will direct us on how to move forward with the funeral arrangements," he said. "The funeral is most likely going to be at the weekend."
Meyiwa joined the Pirates academy as a 13-year-old and broke through the ranks into the senior team later in his career.
After patiently waiting for his time, Meyiwa asserted himself as the first-choice goalkeeper in 2012.
His leadership credentials also led to him recently becoming Bafana Bafana captain and first-choice goalkeeper under new coach Shakes Mashaba.
In his final match Meyiwa guided Pirates to a 4-1 win over Ajax Cape Town in a Telkom Knockout quarter-final on Saturday at the Orlando Stadium.
(File Photo: Gallo Images)
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