A BLANKET of sorrow has covered soccer fans as former Orlando Pirates icon and Bafana Bafana assistant coach Phil Jones Setshedi has died.
Pirates confirmed the death of the Mzansi football legend on Thursday, 19 October, in a brief statement on X, previously known as Twitter.
“Orlando Pirates is saddened by the passing of Legend, Phil Jones Setshedi. On behalf of the extended Orlando Pirates family, we convey our heartfelt and deepest sympathy to the Setshedi family,” the soccer club said.
?? @orlandopirates is saddened by the passing of Legend, Phil Jones Setshedi.
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) October 19, 2023
On behalf of the extended @orlandopirates family, we convey our heartfelt and deepest sympathy to the Setshedi family.
Rest In Peace, Bra Phil.
?????#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/5X8Ollw4Zc
In an article published by Sowetan in 2013, the publication defined Setshedi as a "rock-solid defender who used to send shivers down the spines of strikers".
Making his mark on the soccer field, Setshedi wore many hats as an assistant coach for Bafana in 1996 and watched his career soar to greater heights when he joined Pirates.
He played alongside big names such as Jomo Sono and Johannes "Yster" Khomane and became a force to be reckoned with.
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While Setshedi missioned through great successes in his career, in 2013, he suffered a blow when he was sentenced to three years in prison after he was found guilty of match-fixing.
This sentence followed his arrest on 8 June 2011.
The South African Football Association (Safa) outed him to the police for unduly and improperly found influencing the outcome of the promotion play-offs match in the second-tier league in Cape Town in 2011.
Condolences continue to pour in on social media, with many expressing their sadness of the legend's death.
One user said, "Hawu madoda, Mr Jones, RIP Phil Jones. Zohamba iynsizwa kosala iyibongo."
Another user was reminded of when the radio would make waves of Setshedi when he took over the field.
?? @orlandopirates is saddened by the passing of Legend, Phil Jones Setshedi.
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) October 19, 2023
On behalf of the extended @orlandopirates family, we convey our heartfelt and deepest sympathy to the Setshedi family.
Rest In Peace, Bra Phil.
?????#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/5X8Ollw4Zc
