The Kaizer Chiefs family was united in grief last Friday upon learning of the passing of one of the Club’s most beloved heroes, Jackie ‘Asinamali’ Masike, the previous night.

Masike was a member of the original Kaizer XI in the nascent days of Chairman, Dr. Motaung’s dream and over the next 12 years, played a noteworthy role in growing Amakhosi into the behemoth it had already become in the early 1980s.

Born in Sophiatown in 1946, Masike grew up in Moletsane where he took up the game with his local team and then Real Tigers.

1946 - 2024

His exceptional talent was soon noticed and, in 1969, he joined the Kaizer XI from City Ramblers, along with Ariel ‘Pro’ Kgongoane.

Masike was one of the standout performers for the Kaizer XI team that set the South African domestic scene ablaze with the scintillating brand of football they produced in numerous friendlies around the country, in a team that featured the likes of Alfred ‘Bomber’ Chamane, Vincent ‘Tantie’ Julius, Ingle Singh, Herman ‘Pelé’ Blaschke, Patrick ‘Ace’Ntsoelengoe, Ratha Mokgoatlheng, Msomi Khoza and Thomas ‘Zero’ Johnson.

He had the distinction of playing in the first ever Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates on 24 January 1970, and even scored Chiefs’ fourth goal in a 6-4 Rogue Cup Third Place play-off loss.

When Kaizer Chiefs F.C. was formally constituted on 7 January 1970, Masike was a founding member of the team, making a goal scoring league debut the following year in an 11-1 thrashing of African Wanderers on 17 April 1971.

Known for his professionalism, he was a hard- working, tough, no nonsense defender who became a firm favourite among Chiefs’ burgeoning support base, as well as within the Club. He was humorously given the nickname ‘Asinamali’ by the late, great Ewart Nene on an occasion when he asked for a raise.

In Kaizer Chiefs’ first full season in the top tier of local football, then known as the National Professional Soccer League (NPSL), Masike was in the team that won the Life Challenge Cup.

He was a member of the Amakhosi side that won the league title in 1974, occasionally assuming the role of captain.

Although a defender, Masike had a keen eye for a goal and managed to score at least once in all competitions for seven straight seasons in a Gold & Black jersey between 1971 and 1977.

In that run he found the net 16 times, each goal coming in a different game. He never finished on the losing side when he scored, boasting a fantastic record of 15 wins and a single 2-2 draw against Welkom Real Rovers in a 1975 BP Top 16 game. Chiefs won the replay.

Post retirement, Jackie had a stint as co-head coach of Kaizer Chiefs, along with Eliakim ‘Pro’ Khumalo, filling in for three weeks between the departure of Eddie Lewis and the arrival of Orlando Casares in 1983.

When the Club turned 50 on 7 January 2020, Jackie Masike was one of the players featured in the promotion of the special commemorative jersey to mark the milestone.

“It reminds me of the jersey Kaizer Chiefs had in the early seventies. It’s stunning,” he said at the time, adding “The jersey goes back to the origin, the foundation of the club.”

Jackie’s passing leaves us all with heavy hearts because we shall miss him dearly. His kind, affable nature and commitment to the game of football and the community at large touched everyone who was fortunate to come into contact with him.

His legacy as one of the Club’s founding players and his role in transforming the Kaizer XI into the Phefeni Glamour Boys will always be preserved and passed down from generation to generation.

The thoughts and prayers of everyone associated with Kaizer Chiefs are with Jackie’s relatives and loved ones and we wish them strength and comfort during this time of grief and mourning.

May Jackie’s soul rest in eternal peace. A true Kaizer Chiefs icon.