Kaizer Chiefs and Fans Pay Heartfelt Tributes to the Late Dick Cecil: “Supporters Are Forever Grateful”

• Kaizer Chiefs paid tribute to Richard "Dick" Cecil, who was pivotal in signing founder Kaizer Motaung to Atlanta Chiefs
• The soccer club said Motaung's exposure in the US inspired his approach to club management, leading to the birth of Kaizer Chiefs
• Amakhosi supporters took to social media to post their condolences and bid their final farewells to Dick

Kaizer Chiefs are in a state of mourning following the passing of Richard 'Dick' Cecil.

Kaizer Chiefs pays tribute to Richard 'Dick' Cecil

He held a significant role in the history of the Soweto-based team. During his tenure as president of Atlanta Chiefs, Cecil was instrumental in signing Kaizer Motaung, the founder of Amakhosi, to the American club for the 1968 season.

Read also

Former Kaizer Chiefs star Willard Katsande sends heartfelt birthday wish to ex-coach Stuart Baxter

In that same year, the US Chiefs achieved victory in the inaugural North American Soccer League (NASL), reported SowetanLIVE. This league aimed to bring in international stars, as organisers sought to ignite professional soccer in the United States during the 1970s. However, the NASL encountered financial challenges and ultimately collapsed in the 1980s. Notably, numerous South African players participated in the NASL, including notable figures like Pule "Ace" Ntsoelengoe and Jomo Sono.

Dr Kaizer Motaung remembers Richard 'Dick' Cecil

As a pioneer venturing into the United States, Motaung absorbed valuable insights into managing a football club with elevated levels of professionalism. Subsequently, in 1970, when Motaung established a separate club from Orlando Pirates, he called it Kaizer Chiefs. Dr Kaizer Motaung paid his respects and said:

Read also

PA leader Gayton McKenzie takes aim at ‘Kill the Boer’ song, says it has no place for it in new South Africa

“Dick Cecil gave me the opportunity to play professional football with players from all over the world. I still feel very honoured to have been part of the first team from Atlanta to win a championship in any sport in 1968. I held him in very high esteem. He was a kind gentleman. Atlanta Chiefs is the reason there is a Kaizer Chiefs today in South Africa."

See the tweet below:

Chiefs fans post tributes to Cecil

@SparksTsetse asked:

"Chiefs exist because of this team, not Pirates?"

@Chumza1978 said:

"The man and his colleagues were visionaries, way ahead of their time."

@MpoloMohafa_ commented:

"So the info that we've been told on TL that Orlando Pirates is the reason we have Kaizer Chiefs today is false? Great."

@sewesha18 said:

"Fairwell big brother, you left a legacy, you are the one who achieved more."

@khanyiqondani8 tweeted:

"May his soul rest in peace."

Read also

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Woman’s Day address moved from Cape Town to Pretoria amid safety concerns

@NgomaneHopewell posted:

"Rest in eternal peace Mr Cecil, Kaizer Chiefs supporters (not fans) are forever grateful."

@IamGiven_M added:

"RIP madala.️"

Former Kaizer Chiefs star Willard Katsande sends birthday wish to ex-coach Stuart Baxter

In another article, Briefly News reported that Willard 'Boss ya Mboka' Katsande recently wished his former coach Stuart Baxter a happy birthday and had his supporters join in. The former Kaizer Chiefs player was among many who celebrated the world-renowned coach and manager.

In an Instagram post, Katsande shared pictures of himself with his former coach. One of the photos is of Baxter giving Katsande pointers on a soccer field, while the other is of the men posing for a picture with Willard carrying a baby.

Source: Briefly News