Cape Town – Golden Arrows midfielder Sandile Zuke says South Africa has lost a young and talented coach in Roger Sikhakhane, who passed away recently at the age of 42.
The late former Royal Eagles coach had been battling a long undisclosed illness and was put on sick leave by his team just four matches into the National First Division season.
Such was the condition Sikhakhane was suffering from, Eagles appointed Serbian Zlatko Krmpotic as their new head coach last week.
Nonetheless, Zuke, who played under the departed mentor at Chippa United, paid tribute to his former coach.
Speaking to KickOff website, he said: "He was a good guy, a humble guy. He was honest, only wanted hard work. He was always a winner, always played to win. He was a good guy all round, professionally and personally.
"When I arrived at Chippa I found him there. He welcomed me very nicely. He told me he saw potential in me and he was sure that I could help him, and I must just work hard and earn my place in the team because nothing comes easy. He's always been about hard work.
"As a human being he was quite a relaxed guy and not someone who stressed too much. He was very relaxed when it comes to understanding a situation you see, because he knew the background of people like us who are from the township.
"He understood and tried to help wherever he could. He was very understanding. I learned of his passing on Instagram, it was very saddening. I thought he was going to recover because he's always been a fighter.
"I didn't take it that well but… we have to accept. As a country we have lost a lot in football. A humble coach, a hard-working coach, he was only progressing."
