Sikhosana: Chairman has to get involved

Orlando Pirates legend Jerry Sikhosana (below) wants club chairman Irvan Khosa to return to his old culture of personally welcoming every player who joins the team and explain what is expected of them.

Sikhosana believes that this was effective in ensuring players fight for the team.

Current Pirates players have been heavily criticised for not pulling their weight with the team not only failing to win any silverware, but also finishing outside the top eight for the first time since the inception of the Premier Soccer League in 1997.

“I remember when I joined Orlando Pirates from Witbank Aces. I arrived at the chairman’s office and I got goosebumps. You can’t even look in his eyes and when he talks you just listen,” said the Bucs legend yesterday.

“When the likes of Helman Mkhalele and Innocent (Mncwango) arrived from a relegated Jomo Cosmos, people had their doubts but we went on to win the league. For me it’s about the impact that the chairman brings. For me it’s about the chairman’s voice and I wonder if these players do get the message,” added Skhosana.

With Pirates having signed Thamsanqa Sangweni, Wayne Sandilands and Nigerian striker Christian Obiozor during the current transfer period, Sikhosana feels if the players do not pull their weight, the team will be a dud again.

“New signings don’t matter as long as the team wins at the end of the day,” he said.