Soccer legend Jerry Sadike passes on

Picture of Jerry Sadike in his young days when he played for Highlands Park.  Photo: Supplied

Orlando born soccer legend Jerry Sadike, 70, was laid to rest on 8 July at Westpark Cemetery. A memorial service was held at the Diepkloof Community Hall first before proceeding to the cemetery where he was laid to rest. Sadike was born 15 June 1952.

 

Soccer legends and sports fraternity personnel gathered at the memorial service and paid tribute to Sadike. Sadike played for Kaizer Chiefs and many other football leagues.

 

He was remembered by many legends as a compassionate, resilient, determined, brave, go getter and passionate player who was not afraid to use football to fight against the apartheid.

 

Sadike was the third born of six children of Joseph and Ellen. Sadike developed a deep reverence of football and as time went by he became a pro and played for numerous teams, amongst them were Pimville United Brothers, Highlands Park, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.

 

An old friend of Sadike, a sport writer Walter Mabebe said: “You cannot talk about SA football without missing an opportunity talking about Jerry. He is amongst the many footballer legends who laid the foundation for soccer.” A sad voice as Mabebe speak and he said that Sadike’s death is a great loss to the soccer fraternity. Mabebe expressed: “It is the ‘end of an era’ for local football as he was one of the finest players South Africa had.”

 

Kazier Chiefs chairperson, Kazier Motaung paid his tributes in a letter which was addressed to Jerry’s family and further reminisced about Sadike’s football tenure.

 

Motaung said: “He was a fine fellow that I have known in my life. Not only was he a great football star, but he was also a warm and wonderful person to be in the midst of and had an amusing character, both on and off the field of play.”

 

Vino Maphosa Kazier Chiefs spokesperson said: “We are here to pledge our solidarity and express our condolences as a football club, we are with you and we hope that you will take this moment as a reflection of who your father was. We were planning a meet and greet for Kazier Chief legends and the death of Sadike came unexpected.”