Veteran coach Augusto Palacios has paid a glowing tribute to fallen football administrator Phil 'Mr Jones' Setshedi, speaking exclusively to the Siya crew.
On Thursday, Orlando Pirates announced via the club's official Twitter account and website that Setshedi has passed away.
In his career, Setshedi played an integral part in the progress of the Buccaneers and is being regarded as the club legend.
Having started at the club as a footballer in the 1970s, he went on to become a team manager for the Soweto giants.
Mr Clean, as he was fondly known, also had a spell with the South African senior national team, where he served as an assistant coach to Palacios at some stage.
The Good
"Phil Setshedi was my assistant in Bafana Bafana. He assisted me until I left, and he continued in the role and served under Clive Barker. When we were reunited again later, we continued to work together without any issues. It is very sad news for me that he is no more because I worked with him a lot. He was also a team manager for Pirates at some stage and we worked together for several years. What stood out about him was that he was a very good motivator and players and those around him benefited from that. There was a time when he worked for a clothing store called Deans in Carlton Centre (in Johannesburg) but he later quit to return to football. It is very sad to have lost somebody who worked very close to me like him. I have great memories about working with him. He was elegant and was a very good former player for Pirates," said Palacios.
The Bad
"I know his wife and family and I can imagine how they are feeling right now because of the sad news. You know, it is very difficult for people to recognise the kind of work and contribution that's being done by someone when they are still alive. We always say a lot of things and showering people with praise when they are already gone but what I am saying is that Phil Setshedi was a really good person and a pleasure to work with," he said.
The Ugly
"A lot of good people have worked in South Africa and some of them have since passed on. Stix Morewa is one of them and because he passed away, you hardly hear his name being mentioned. Clive Barker is another one, and it was only recently (after his passing), that many people started talking about how great he was and so on. We have this attitude in South Africa of not recognising the people who are adding a lot of contribution in football. You can tell me, when was the last time we have honoured any footballer who has retired? There are players who have worked for clubs for anything from 10 and 20 years but have never been recognised. There are great human beings who have made a huge contribution to the game like these former Bafana Bafana coaches like Shakes Mashaba who is still alive, Screamer Tshabalala who is also still alive, as well as Trott Moloto. Styles Phumo is already gone, Clive Barker is gone, Jomo Sono is still alive, just to mention a few. I send my condolences to Phil Setshedi's wife, family and everyone. Together with Phil, we travelled a lot to countries like DR Congo, Zambia, Nigeria, France, Germany, Mauritius and so on. I have fond memories," concluded Palacios.
What are your memories of 'Mr Jones'?
