SEDIBENG.- The Sedibeng football fraternity is mourning the passing of the former Kaizer Kaizer Chiefs great, Frank “Jingles” Pereira (77).
Pereira was part of the 1981 quadruple-winning Chiefs side in a career for Amakhosi that went from 1979 to 1984. Before signing for Chiefs he turned out for clubs including Vaal United, Highlands Park, Jewish Guild, and Cape Town City in a 20-year playing career. Pereira’s passing was confirmed by 1980s Chiefs teammate Lucky Stylianou.
Sedibeng Ster Sport can confirm that Pereira, who lived in the Vereeniging, battled illness “for the past five months”. He was a prolific striker who won the Golden Boot in 1976 thanks to scoring 20 league goals. He was later converted to a defensive position by Coach Mario Tuani in 1980.
Kaizer Chiefs wrote on their website: “Pereira was also part of that great quadruple-winning side of 1981, winning the league, the Mainstay Cup, the BP Top 8 and the Champion of Champions. Despite now playing as a sweeper, ‘Jingles’ still managed to score just over 50 goals for Amakhosi. Pereira was given an African nickname by the Chiefs supporters, “Baba ka Sibongile” (Father of Thanks).”
Another former Chiefs great, Simon “Bull” Lehoko, who played with Pereira described him as the best player to have played with.
“He was one of the best players to have played for Kaizer Chiefs and he was an all-rounder, he started playing as the striker but ended up playing in defense. I was blessed to have played with him and when I received the news that he was no more, I found myself thinking back to when we won everything, that was the best Kaizer Chiefs team that conquered South African football,” said Lehoko.
