ORLANDO PIRATES Diski Challenge coach and former player Joseph Makhanya says he is hurting over Papi Khomane’s death since they had a very close relationship.
The ex-Pirates captain, Khomane, died in a car crash on his way to a funeral in KZN on Saturday, 25 November, alongside his mother and uncle.
Visiting the late Khomane's family in Klipspruit, Soweto to pay his condolences, Makhanya told Daily Sun that he was saddened by his death.
“I'm also very close with the family. We grew up under Papi's father, Yster Khomane, on his development. This home has become my second home.
“The last time I came I also saw Papi who happened to be my captain when I was still playing at Pirates. When I joined the team Papi was ready to welcome me. He was that player we could rely on and that's why he became the captain of the team,” he said.
Makhanya said that as youngsters, they were guided by the late Khomane.
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“I learnt a lot from him and the family. I'm shattered by what has happened. I wish that we can accept what had happened and the family be comforted during this hard difficult time. This is a difficult time. We know that Baba Yster was proud of his son. I hope that he can be comforted and have strength to face this," said Makhanya.
He said Khomane was a true disciplinarian, which resembled the home in which he was raised.
Makhanya also said that he was very humble, respectful and had so much wisdom.
“His father was very disciplined, and we could see that through Papi. While playing football, he also furthered his studies, preparing for life after football, and that’s when one could tell the kind of a human being he was," he said.
"Papi never took anything for granted."
