“I have always been critical towards Ace Ntsoelengoe,” Kaizer Chiefs’ legendary goalkeeper Joseph ‘Bank’ Sethlodi said in a moving speech on the commemoration of the tenth anniversary of his former teammates’ passing. “If he scored twice, I would moan about the one he missed. It was all with the goal to have him play even better, as I saw that immense potential. I never said ‘well done’ to Ace. So, today that’s what I want to do, ‘well done Ace, for a fantastic soccer career’.”

Patrick ‘Ace’ Ntsoelengoe passed away on 8 May 2006, which was yesterday, Sunday, exactly ten years ago.

To honour this football legend a whole weekend of events were organised, which started on Friday with a Golf Tournament and a Gala Dinner to raise funds for the Patrick ‘Ace’ Ntsoelengoe Foundation.

It continued on Saturday with a legends game between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at Randfontein’s Mohlakeng Stadium. The game finished in a 1-1 draw.

Sunday was another day full of events. First of all, there was a wreath laying at Ntsoelengoe’s grave at the Sterkfontein Cemetrey in Mogale City.

This was followed by the unveiling of a plaque, celebrating the renaming of the Mohlakeng Stadium to the Patrick Ace Ntsoelengoe Stadium.

“It’s beautiful to see how Ace is honoured,” Amakhosi’s goalkeeper legend Sethlodi commented. “Ace was my friend and my brother… This is the most beautiful day of my life.”

Sethlodi was accompanied at the unveiling by his former teammates Jackie Masike, JC Xaba and Big Boy Kholoane, who all played with Ntsoelengoe in the seventies.

Chiefs’ Football Manager Bobby Motaung and coach Steve Komphela were also present. They were accompanied by the whole first team squad.

“Your presence here shows that Kaizer Chiefs is a real family,” mentioned Randfontein Local Municipality’s Executive Mayor, Mzi Khumalo, “because you look after one of your own. Thanks to the Kaizer Chiefs Family for being here with us to honour Ace Ntsoelengoe.”

Later on, at the Ramosa Hall, Bobby Motaung spoke about the importance of Ace Ntsoelengoe and the legacy he left behind: “This weekend brought the Kaizer Chiefs Family together. It’s not so much about the legacy - it’s about Ace still being able to bring people together. It’s about togetherness. It’s about Love & Peace.”

To his first team squad, Motaung stressed: “If you want to be remembered when you are no longer there like Ace, learn from him. He was a soccer star, who worked hard. However, despite his stardom he always stayed humble, greeting everybody he met. For sure, guys like Ace and Banks had fun. But the game of soccer always came first, they lived for it and that’s how they became the legends they are today. It is also why Ace is still remembered today, ten years after his passing.”

“We are very honoured for the opportunity to be here today,” Chiefs captain Siphiwe Tshabalala said. “Ace left a legacy and it’s great that a stadium is now named after him. We take huge inspiration from this day.”

In the closing remarks, Ace Ntsoelengoe’s widow Thato commented: “Kaizer Chiefs, you are my family. Thanks for being here with us all throughout this weekend to honour Ace.”