Kaizer Chiefs have expressed their sadness at the passing of former Amakhosi player, Frank ‘Jingles’ Pereira, on Sunday, 3 September, at the age of 77.
‘Jingles’ was a Kaizer Chiefs player from 1979-1983 and contributed immensely to the club’s success in those years.
Pereira was nicknamed ‘Jingles’ by his peers after picking up the name when playing with pennies in his pocket as a 10-year-old.
They would jingle every time he ran.
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The name was given to him when he was playing for Stewarts & Lloyds, by first team player, Bobby Farrel and it stuck.
He was also nicknamed ‘Mama KaSibongile’ by Kaizer Chiefs fans after the popular Soul Brothers’ hit song with the same title.
His professional career began with Vaal United in 1963, and later joined Powerlines, Highlands Park, Jewish Guild and Cape Town City, before joining Kaizer Chiefs.
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His move to Cape Town City from Jewish Guild made him the most expensive player in South Africa at the time.
He arrived at Kaizer Chiefs in 1979, midway through the season, and was part of the Amakhosi team that won four trophies in 1981.
In four years as a Kaizer Chiefs player, he helped the club win 10 trophies, including a league title in 1979.
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The late former Kaizer Chiefs captain, Ryder Mofokeng once said of Pereira, “South Africa had some fantastic strikers in those days, like Mickey Collins, Samora Khulu and Rhee Skhosana. Pereira was another prolific goal-scorer and deadly finisher, who did not miss many opportunities.”
Pereira, who was the top goal scorer in the South African top flight in 1973 with Cape Town City, where he netted 26 goals, was originally from the Portuguese island of Madeira and came to South Africa at an early age.
He was a successful businessman who ran a company which manufactured various paper goods.
In a statement on their website, Kaizer Chiefs remembered ‘Jingles’ as a person and sporting icon who represented the club in an exemplary manner and, on behalf of chairperson, Dr. Kaizer Motaung, the club passed on their heartfelt condolences to his family.
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