Orlando Pirates and PSL chairman Dr Irvin Khoza has been a prominent figure in South African football for many years.
He serves as Chairman of Orlando Pirates Football Club, Chairman of the South African Premier Soccer League and was formerly Vice-President of the South African Football Association.
Khoza has suggested he might soon retire from his posts.
If he does it certainly seems that he is well set up for his golden years.
How rich is Dr Irvin Khoza?
The latest estimates of Khoza’s net worth have put his current fortune at around R647 million.
Khoza may have hinted at retirement but succession plans at Orlando Pirates are a mystery.
A great businessman
Former Orlando Pirates coach Augusto Palacios believes it will be tough to replace Khoza.
“His passion for football cannot be compared. He and Kaizer Motaung are the two people who are guiding the country when it comes to football,” Palacios told KickOff.
“But the Chairman has made an impact in revolutionizing the league, all the clubs were struggling in the financial aspect. His interest has always been the PSL. To him, it didn’t matter if he was a chairman of Orlando Pirates.
“He was the Chief of Security for South Africa in the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France. He was also the chairman of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He was recognized by FIFA,” he explained.
“I have known him since 1995, and from 1996 I was at Pirates. Remember, we had clubs who owed money to players. Look at how he is currently helping the National First Division with the Motsepe Foundation sponsorship. Which sponsors would be attracted to our clubs if he were not in the leadership?
“He never took any advantage of the sponsors and only wanted them to benefit Orlando Pirates. He wanted sponsors to grow football as a whole, not just Pirates. For example, the Carling Cup was only contested by Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, but now it’s open for all the teams. That alone shows you he is not selfish, he looks after football in the country.
“And remember, he was once the vice president of SAFA. Only if SAFA and the PSL can work together, we will be the best country in Africa when it comes to football,” continued the veteran development coach.
Heavy is the head of Dr Irvin Khoza
“But if he steps down, who is going to replace him with his calibre and experience? Where are the sponsors going to get someone with the experience he has? That’s my only concern. As a sponsor, you need someone experienced to guarantee you that everything will be running smoothly.
“The running of the PSL is not a piece of cake, it’s a huge responsibility, and you need to make it attractive. Look at the DStv Diski Challenge, how many clubs have travelled overseas as champions?
“For me, age doesn’t count, he is 76, but that counts for nothing. In the PSL and in the Premier League, you still have 75-year-olds who are still working as coaches. The coach of Bafana Bafana, Hugo Broos is almost 70, but his energy is fantastic.
“And Dr. Khoza, he is very healthy, he is not drinking, he is not smoking. I know him very well. Eating healthy food. I’ve worked with him for almost 27 years. He can remain in football for 10 more years.
“And his children are doing very well. Nkosana is doing very well at Pirates. He has always been guiding him. People think Nkosana only came to football now, and no, that’s not the case. So this, for me, is surprising news, and I want him to continue for another 10 years,” he concluded.
Who is your favourite Orlando Pirates star?
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