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There is a general consensus that Lucky Lekgwathi should have retired immediately after leading Orlando Pirates to its successive treble in the 2012/13 season. At that time Lekgwathi had acquired in the footballing loving domain the unofficial status of the Greatest Pirates Captain Ever.
But like so many great sportsmen who refuse to depart the stage while they are on a high, Lekgwathi chose to play on. He told himself that even at the age of 37, he still had a few more seasons left in him. He believed that if his mind said his legs could run on, then his legs could definitely run on.
The technical team saw things very differently. With younger and more energetic legs available to them they largely kept him on the bench, giving him the occasional run when they needed his experienced football brain to read and conduct the game on the field.
Up until the end of last season, the most action Lekgwathi saw was in the Multichoice Diski League where he played alongside development players and the guys who were in the departure lounge.
This week, Phinda Mzala announced that he would sing his song no more. At the end of a magnificent first game of the season by his team-mates, Lekgwathi announced that after 14 seasons with Orlando Pirates and 14 Bafana Bafana caps, it was time to hang up the Number 14 jersey that he had worn so loyally.
“In 14 years there are plenty of memories but the best by far is the ‘Double Treble’. No doubt. Nothing tops that. I was the first captain to lead a team to a Double Treble and I hope I won’t be the last to do it for this club. The time had come for me to call it a day,” he said after current captain Oupa Manyisa had opened the new Orlando Pirates era under Muhsin Ertugral with a 3-1 victory over Lamontville Golden Arrows.
The African campaigns that followed the Double Treble saw Pirates come within a whisker of being crowned continental kings and resulted in the team becoming household names in every corner of the continent. Although Lekgwathi played a limited role in those campaigns, the foundation he had laid and his big brother role in the squad were invaluable.
Lekgwathi was a leader second to none and took responsibility on his shoulders. In crucial games when the team absolutely needed nothing less than an outright victory but the strike-force couldn't penetrate the opposition, Lekgwathi trekked upfield and made the difference. At times when coaches couldn't solve complex problems and his teammates were getting frustrated, he just simply took charge of the game plan and led like a true general.
Off the field he avoided the celebrity trap that being part of football royalty accords one. The bling culture was not for him so the only pages he graced were those of sports. When he couldn’t dodge the cameras at respectable events he occasionally made the social pages. A humble man to the core, he never kicked up a fuss when asked to pose for yet another selfie and to sign yet another autograph.
Lekgwathi is a fitting example of the tragedy of our lack of development and nurturing of talent. Had he been developed from a much younger age he would have been one of South Africa’s greatest exports and been a giant on the international stage. Such was his sheer natural talent, hard work and complete professionalism.
Nonetheless in the 14 years he wore the skull and crossbones insignia on his chest, Orlando Pirates got the best of his qualities. The Buccaneers will hopefully find other ways of making use of this legend and beloved son of The Ghost.
For now we say: “Farewell Captain My Captain and thank you for the silverware and the mountains of happiness.”
