Kaizer Chiefs legend Jabu Mahlangu has shared his two cents about the retirement of jersey numbers of the players who had excellent careers with their clubs particularly in light of the recent controversy involving Jomo Sono and Patrick Maswanganyi.
Jomo Sono, a legendary figure for Orlando Pirates and the owner of Jomo Cosmos, faced criticism in recent weeks for comparing the Bucs star Maswanganyi to an ant.
He suggested that Maswanganyi is not yet deserving of wearing the esteemed jersey number 10, which was retired upon Sono's retirement from professional football.
Mahlangu argues that the practice of retiring jersey numbers is illogical, questioning what current players would wear in such instances.
He advocates for honoring players through the naming of stadiums, the erection of statues, and other forms of recognition.
MAHLANGU REVEALS HIS TWO CENTS ON RETIRING JERSEY NUMBERS
“With all due respect to all the jerseys that are retired, for me it's just a jersey,” said on Marawa Sports Worldwide.
“Doctor Khumalo will always be Doctor Khumalo, Jomo Sono is Jomo Sono and they have done exceptionally well to pave the way for the likes of Jabu Pule, Itu Khune.
“So this thing of jersey retiring, for me, for what?
“Can you imagine if we say Ace Ntsoelengoe number 12 must retire, jersey number 11 that one Teenage Dladla was wearing must retire, jersey number ten must retire, so this generation will use alphabets, A, B and C. There won't be numbers anymore.
“You can always inspire. I mean
intanga zabo [their peers] who played in Europe, people are renaming stadiums, are making statues [after them] our former players here are fighting over a jersey number?
“There's a statue for Maradona, Pele, Messi, Sibusiso Zuma, Lucas Radebe. It's petty things amagrootman [the older guys] are fighting for.”
