SHOCKING: ‘I don’t need anyone to talk at my funeral’ – Benson Mhlongo, Orlando Pirates’ former star

Benson Mhlongo is a name that every Orlando Pirates fan will remember. His shorts were constantly tucked up as he went about his serious business in midfield or defense. He was a true workhorse.

Mhlongo played approximately 200 games for Pirates, Wits, SuperSport United, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Platinum Stars in the Premier League and on the continent.

Later, he coached the Pirates’ reserve team and TS Sporting in the GladAfrica Championship.

Mhlongo revealed who he wants to be remembered as during a philosophically laden and insightful discussion in the latest issue of Soccer Laduma.

“Most of the boys I coached are in the GladAfrica Championship and are doing well,” Mhlongo said after sharing an anecdote on how he inspired Sekhukhune United’s Yusuf Maart.

“During 2015 I was at Polokwane City, I used to travel to Mbombela. After training, I used to travel to Mbombela to coach.” [Polokwane to Mbombela is a four-hour and 20-minute drive].

“Every day, I am not joking.

“I think everyone I worked under or worked with can explain it better. Because when I die, I don’t need anyone to talk at my funeral.

“I have to put that in my Will. I don’t want anyone to talk.“

When asked why, the 41-year-old Alexandra resident, who was known for driving to Rustenburg every day to practice with Platinum Stars, replied:

“What is it that you want to say at my funeral you can’t say when I’m still alive?” Mhh great question.”

Meanwhile, Mayanga continued by saying that he is still looking for the appropriate opportunity to resume his coaching career.

Here’s another gem we uncovered on the internet from Mhlongo’s live television interview with Robert Marawa in 2020.

BEST XI OF PIRATES PLAYERS WHO LEFT SINCE 2010

At the close of each season, Pirates fans have learned to cross their fingers. The club is known for parting ways with some of the best players in the world.

Clubs all over the world are doing everything they can to keep generational talent on their books once their playing days are over.

Look at Doctor Khumalo, Donald Khuse, and Itumeleng Khune of Kaizer Chiefs, as well as Surprise Moriri and Themba Zwane of Mamelodi Sundowns, in the PSL.

However, this is not the case at Pirates.

Teko Modise left in 2011, Daine Klate left in 2015, and Moeneeb Josephs departed in 2015.

Despite the fact that Jali and others, such as Kermit Erasmus, departed for once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play in Europe, both players oddly returned to Mzansi to join clubs other than Pirates.

There were certainly options to re-sign them, but only the Pirates’ management knows why Jali and Erasmus chose to join Cape Town City and Mamelodi Sundowns, respectively.

We watched the same film with Mbulelo Mabizela and Benedict Vilakazi.