Former Orlando Pirates striker Jerry Sikhosana says the club has not given him the recognition he deserves, and he is not holding back about it. Known as "Legs of Thunder," Sikhosana scored the decisive goal in the second leg against ASEC Mimosas in the 1995 CAF Champions League, the only continental title in Pirates' history.

He joined the Soweto giants from Witbank Aces in 1993 and played until 1998, returning briefly between 2000 and 2001. In 125 appearances he scored 44 goals, so his place in the club's story is hard to dispute.

That is what makes his latest complaints sting. Speaking on the Kasi Jam podcast, Sikhosana recalled having to queue with ordinary fans to buy a ticket for a Pirates match. He felt that was wrong for a man with his history at the club. He also described meeting Pirates media officer Thandi Merafe and former players Edward Motale and Lucky Lekgwathi in Durban, all wearing new club tracksuits, while he was left out of the event. He insisted he was not asking for special treatment, just a ticket to watch a game as a former player.

The most pointed moment came when he thanked Kaizer Chiefs' marketing and commercial director Jessica Motaung for helping him get a VIP suite ticket. "I received special treatment from a rival team that I used to dominate. Where are the people I served during the derby?" he asked.

Sikhosana, now 57, remains active in the game as owner of Tembisa Hollywood Thunder FC, which plays in the ABC Motsepe League.

So here is the question: should clubs have a formal system to look after their legends after they hang up their boots, or is it on former players to build their own legacy outside the club? Drop your take in the comments and tag a Pirates fan who has an opinion on this.

Source: IDiskiTimes