Former soccer star and bishop Lesenyeho will be sorely missed
‘Baggio’ was a cult figure in the Pimville streets
Born: December 6 1971
Died: May 4 2022
Burial: Avalon Cemetery
Funeral: Tomorrow, at Holy Bethel Church, Zone 4 Pimville, 8am-11am
The sad news of Daniel Phala Lesenyeho’s death spread like wildfire and caught the whole community of Pimville-Klipspruit and SA’s football fraternity by surprise.
Soon after the news broke, every street corner, social gathering and family household in his hometown of PimvilleKlipspruit, discussions centred on his passing. Popularly known as “Baggio” in football circles, Lesenyeho commanded enormous respect among the old and young, friend and foe.
Over the years, his popularity grew and he earned himself a cult-following, which would have undoubtedly left many of his peers and counterparts green with envy. Many, including yours truly, benefited from his kindness and bravery as he stood up against anyone pushing us around.
The son of the late Bishop Joseph “Mkantja” Lesenyeho, Baggio’s upbringing was based on strict moral and religious codes, which he embraced and practiced. Despite being a street-wise kasi fellow, and considered to be a tough-guy, he had a positive outlook towards life. He was an epitome of humility and gentleness.
From his childhood, growing up in brutal streets of Soweto’s oldest township, Lesenyeho developed an insatiable love for the beautiful game and it came as no surprise that he ended up as one of Pimville’s elite group of footballers who went on to play professionally. “Scotch”, as he was also affectionately known among friends, showed from an early age that he was destined for greater things.
A typical no-nonsense defender, he had all the hallmarks of top footballer and he was bestowed with amazing skills and a great football brain. During his amateur days, he played for various local teams like Pimville Cameroon and Pimville Fast XI, and went on to represent Pimville in the erstwhile popular Godfrey Moloi Games.
Among those that he played with were Lifa Gqosha, Alfred Tshabalala and Lucky Shiburi, who all played professionally in the mid-1990s to early 2000s.
He was also captain of his Thaba-Jabula Secondary School’s A-Team, where he played alongside, and formed a formidable partnership with, another legend Papi Khomane of Jomo Cosmos and Orlando Pirates fame.
His exploits did not go unnoticed, and he was soon on the radar of soccer scouts and player agents looking for raw township talent. He had a brief spell with Mamelodi Sundowns before being snatched by Moroka Swallows, in a move initiated by then club owner and former Kaizer Chiefs and Wits University striker Mike Mangena.
Baggio repaid Mangena’s trust in him with stellar performances playing alongside established players like Jacob Lekgetho, Jaconia Cibi and Molefi Ntsoelengoe. He ended his career in the early 2000s playing in the colours of the now defunct Limpopo outfit Ria Stars owned by
businesswoman Ria Ledwaba.
He was recruited by music producer Sello “Chicco” Thwala who had earlier been his mentor alongside Mangena during the duo’s reign at Swallows.
He later picked up where Ntate Mkantja left off and was ordained bishop of Holy Bethel Church in
Pimville, where he served until his death.
Bishop Lesenyeho is survived by two children – Mbali and Momosi – and two sisters Memme and Mabenyane.