Orlando Pirates is one of South Africa’s most historic football clubs, with a legacy built by generations of talented players. Sadly, several players who wore the famous black-and-white jersey have passed away over the years.
Their deaths occurred in different circumstances, including road accidents, illness and violent crime. Some causes of death have been publicly confirmed, while in other cases the family or club never disclosed the details.
Below is a detailed look at some of the notable Orlando Pirates players who have passed away.
1. Lesley “Slow Poison” Manyathela
Position: Striker
Orlando Pirates: 2000–2003
Died: 9 August 2003
Age: 21
Lesley Manyathela was one of the brightest young talents in South African football. Known by his nickname “Slow Poison,” the striker quickly established himself as a prolific goalscorer for Orlando Pirates.
He enjoyed an outstanding 2002/03 season and finished as the PSL's leading goalscorer.
Tragically, his promising career came to an end on 9 August 2003 when he died in a car accident in Musina, Limpopo. His vehicle reportedly overturned on the N1.
Manyathela was only 21 years old.
His contribution to South African football has continued to be remembered through the Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot Award, presented to the PSL's leading goalscorer.
2. Sizwe “Zakes” Motaung
Position: Defender
Orlando Pirates: 2000–2001
Died: 16 August 2001
Age: 31
Sizwe Motaung was an experienced defender who represented several of South Africa's major clubs, including Jomo Cosmos, Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
He was also part of the legendary South African national team that won the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations.
Motaung died in August 2001 at the age of 31. Contemporary biographical records attributed his death to an AIDS-related illness.
His passing was a major loss to South African football, particularly given his relatively young age.
3. Clifford Moleko
Position: Footballer
Orlando Pirates: Former player
Died: 1998
Clifford Moleko was another former Pirates player whose life was tragically cut short in a road accident.
According to reports, Moleko was travelling towards Johannesburg International Airport when he attempted to avoid a truck and lost control of his vehicle.
He died at the scene of the accident, while his brother, who was travelling with him, survived.
Moleko's death is remembered among a number of tragic road accidents involving South African footballers.
4. Gift Leremi
Position: Midfielder
Orlando Pirates: 2002–2007
Died: 3 September 2007
Age: 22
Gift Leremi was one of the most promising young players to emerge from Orlando Pirates' development system.
He joined the senior team in 2002 and established himself as a talented midfielder before moving to Mamelodi Sundowns in 2007.
His life was tragically cut short only months after his move.
Leremi died in a car accident in Brackendowns, near Alberton, on 3 September 2007. He was reportedly returning from a CAF Confederation Cup match when the accident occurred.
He was just 22 years old.
5. Senzo Meyiwa
Position: Goalkeeper
Orlando Pirates: 2005–2014
Died: 26 October 2014
Age: 27
Senzo Meyiwa remains one of the most prominent Orlando Pirates players to have died prematurely.
The goalkeeper rose through the Pirates ranks and eventually became club captain. He also captained the South African national team.
Meyiwa was shot and killed on 26 October 2014 during an incident at a house in Vosloorus, Gauteng.
His death shocked South Africa and sparked a lengthy criminal investigation and subsequent court proceedings.
Meyiwa was only 27 years old.
His name remains closely associated with both Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana.
6. Marc Batchelor
Position: Striker
Orlando Pirates: 1994–1996
Died: 15 July 2019
Age: 49
Marc Batchelor was a powerful striker who represented several of South Africa's biggest clubs, including Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns.
During his time at Pirates, he was part of the squad that won the 1995 African Champions Cup, one of the most important trophies in the club's history.
Batchelor was shot and killed outside his home in Johannesburg on 15 July 2019.
Reports stated that two men on a motorcycle approached him and shot him while he was entering his property.
He was 49 years old.
7. Bheka Phakathi
Position: Footballer
Orlando Pirates: 2002–2005
Died: 2018
Bheka Phakathi spent part of his playing career with Orlando Pirates between 2002 and 2005.
After his playing career, he moved into coaching and was working in South African lower-league football.
Orlando Pirates confirmed his death in 2018 and sent condolences to his family.
However, a specific cause of death was not clearly disclosed in reliable public reports, so it would be inappropriate to speculate about what caused his death.
8. Gerard van der Haar
Position: Goalkeeper
Orlando Pirates: 1960s
Died: February 2020
Age: 72
Gerard van der Haar was a member of Orlando Pirates' historic 1968 squad.
That team is remembered as an important part of the club's history, particularly because of its multicultural composition during the apartheid era.
Van der Haar died in February 2020 at the age of 72.
Orlando Pirates confirmed his passing but did not publicly disclose a specific cause of death.
9. Wilson Rathelele
Position: Defender
Orlando Pirates: 1990s
Died: 1 September 2019
Wilson Rathelele was a former Orlando Pirates left-back who played for the club during the 1990s.
The club confirmed his death on 1 September 2019 and later published information regarding his funeral.
A specific cause of death was not publicly disclosed, and there is insufficient reliable information to state one with confidence.
10. John “Dungi” Moeti
Position: Midfielder
Orlando Pirates: 1994/95–1999
Died: 6 February 2023
Age: 55
John “Dungi” Moeti was an important member of the famous Orlando Pirates team of the 1990s.
He helped Pirates win the 1995 CAF Champions League and later represented Bafana Bafana, including the national team that won the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations.
Moeti died on 6 February 2023 at the age of 55.
His family said he had been receiving medical treatment after becoming ill several months earlier.
His death was attributed publicly to illness, although the specific illness was not disclosed by his family.
11. Papi Khomane
Position: Defender
Orlando Pirates: 1998–2007
Died: 25 November 2023
Age: 48
Papi Khomane was one of the best-known defenders of the modern Orlando Pirates era.
He spent approximately nine years with the club, making more than 150 appearances, and also represented Bafana Bafana.
Khomane died in a motor vehicle accident in KwaZulu-Natal on 25 November 2023.
The accident also claimed the lives of his mother, Rita Khomane, and his brother-in-law, Moffat Nkosi.
Papi came from a strong Pirates football family. His father, Johannes “Yster” Khomane, was also a former Orlando Pirates player and captain.
Papi Khomane was 48 years old.
12. Phil “Mr Clean” Setshedi
Position: Defender
Orlando Pirates: Late 1970s–1980
Died: 2023
Phil Setshedi was a former Orlando Pirates defender who later became involved in coaching and administration at the club.
He played for Pirates during the late 1970s and became player-coach in 1980.
During his coaching period, he guided the team through an impressive unbeaten run before they went on to win the Mainstay Cup.
Setshedi later served as Orlando Pirates' team manager for many years.
He died in 2023.
Although Orlando Pirates confirmed his passing and paid tribute to his contribution to the club, a specific cause of death was not publicly disclosed.
13. Tendai Ndoro
Position: Striker
Orlando Pirates: 2015–2017
Died: 18 August 2025
Age: 40
Tendai Ndoro was a Zimbabwean striker who enjoyed a successful spell with Orlando Pirates.
He joined the Buccaneers in 2015 and became known for his goalscoring ability.
Ndoro later played for several clubs in South Africa and elsewhere before retiring from professional football.
He died in Johannesburg on 18 August 2025, aged 40.
Reports said that he was found dead at his home in Sandton. However, a definitive official cause of death was not publicly disclosed, meaning claims about the circumstances of his death should be treated cautiously.
Orlando Pirates Players Who Have Passed Away: Summary
| Player | Pirates era | Position | Year of death | Cause of death |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clifford Moleko | Former player | Footballer | 1998 | Road accident |
| Sizwe Motaung | 2000–2001 | Defender | 2001 | AIDS-related illness |
| Lesley Manyathela | 2000–2003 | Striker | 2003 | Car accident |
| Gift Leremi | 2002–2007 | Midfielder | 2007 | Car accident |
| Senzo Meyiwa | 2005–2014 | Goalkeeper | 2014 | Shot and killed |
| Bheka Phakathi | 2002–2005 | Footballer | 2018 | Not publicly established |
| Marc Batchelor | 1994–1996 | Striker | 2019 | Shot and killed |
| Wilson Rathelele | 1990s | Defender | 2019 | Not publicly disclosed |
| Gerard van der Haar | 1960s | Goalkeeper | 2020 | Not publicly disclosed |
| John Moeti | 1994/95–1999 | Midfielder | 2023 | Illness; specific illness undisclosed |
| Phil Setshedi | 1970s–1980 | Defender | 2023 | Not publicly disclosed |
| Papi Khomane | 1998–2007 | Defender | 2023 | Motor vehicle accident |
| Tendai Ndoro | 2015–2017 | Striker | 2025 | Not officially disclosed |
A Note About the List
Orlando Pirates' history spans more than eight decades, so compiling a genuinely complete list of every deceased player is difficult, particularly for players from the club's earlier decades.
There are also former Pirates coaches, administrators and officials who have passed away, but they have not been included because this article focuses specifically on players.
Where a cause of death has not been reliably documented, it has been identified as “not publicly disclosed” rather than repeating rumours or unverified claims.
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