Not many footballers played for Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates as well as Mamelodi Sundowns. The late Marc Bachelor would have turned 54 years old today.
A TRUE JOURNEYMAN – FROM DYNAMOS TO KAIZER CHIEFS TO MOROKA SWALLOWS
Born on 4 January 1970, Bachelor began his early football days at clubs like Wanderers and Berea Park. His first taste of professional football was at Dynamos in 1990. The lanky striker would later move to Bidvest Wits, Orlando Pirates, SuperSport United, Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Moroka Swallows – becoming the only player to have worn the colours of the three traditional Soweto clubs. The proudest moment of his career would have to the CAF Champions League title with Pirates in 1995. According to Mamelodi Sundowns’ former goalkeeper Roger de SA, Bachelor was a pleasant rival. “In his playing days he was very approachable‚” De Sa told Sowetan.
“I would never classify him as a dirty player and he was always pretty fair on the field. Just a good competitor really. His reputation after the game was nothing like he was as a footballer. He was your typical old-fashioned centre-forward – strong‚ good with his back to goal‚ fearless‚ courageous and brave. He would put his head where most guys were scared to put their feet.
Top: Marc Bachelor with Kaizer Chiefs. Image: KO/X. Bottom: Marc Bachelor with Mamelodi Sundowns. Image: FootballSA/X.
“He was not a prolific goalscorer‚ but he went on to play for all the big clubs‚ Chiefs‚ Pirates‚ Sundowns‚ which just goes to show that he always had something to offer. We were buddies and were in contact. We weren’t social mates but we had a couple of chats. There was always this mutual respect‚ I don’t ever remember having an altercation with him at all [on the pitch]‚ there was not even a stray elbow!
“It was handshakes before and after the game,” De Sa concluded.
TRAGIC DEATH
As widely and sadly reported in July 2019, Bachelor was murdered in a suspected hit outside his home in Olivedale, Johannesburg. May his Soul Rest In Peace.
HOW WAS MARCH BACHELOR AT BIG CLUBS LIKE KAIZER CHIEFS, ORLANDO PIRATES AND MAMELODI SUNDOWNS?
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