Players to share Buccaneer loot

ORLANDO Pirates players will share a whopping R17 million for winning a rare treble this season

Pirates boss Irvin Khoza made the announcement last night at the club's awards ceremony at Birchwood Conference Centre in Boksburg.

Pirates pocketed a total of R24 million this season after winning R10 million in the Absa Premiership League, R8 million in the MTN8. They also pocketed R6 million in the Nedbank Cup.

"We are rewarding the players for the incredible work they have done in winning the treble this season. This is a great achievement," Khoza said.

"It is the first time in the history of our club where the players have played more games than any other team in a season and still went on to win the treble.

"The last time this happened was in 1975. You must always give credit where it is due.

"The responsibility of the players is to display talent and win matches.

"We don't pay bonuses for the league but this time we felt that we needed to reward the players for a job well done in winning the treble.

"We have decided to break away from the norm because we strongly feel the players must be rewarded.

"I know this a historical moment," Khoza said.

Pirates captain Lucky Lekgwathi said: "This has never happened in the history of South African soccer that players are given so much money to share.

"We are really honoured to have Dr Khoza as our chairman. We pray to God to give him more strength. He is always there for us players when we have personal problems."

Andile "Horse and Trailer" Jali walked away with Pirates' Player of the Year award, while teammate Happy Jele took the Players' Player of the Season award.

Pirates have been inundated with congratulatory messages for winning the treble.

Their rare achievement was commended by Gauteng MEC for sports, arts, culture and recreation Lebogang Maile.

Absa chief executive Maria Ramos also wished Pirates good luck in the team's quest to reclaim the African Champions League. Pirates won it in 1995.