Jantjie’s memory fuels Stars’ relegation fight
Free State Stars striker Eleazar Rodgers says Sinethemba Jantjie's memory encourages the players to keep fighting to survive relegation.
Sinethemba Jantjie of Free State Stars during the Nedbank Cup, Final match between Maritzburg United and Free State Stars at Cape Town Stadium on May 19, 2018 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Shaun Roy/Gallo Images)
Jantjie died in a car accident two weeks ago.
Rodgers says the players had to pick themselves up after the passing of Jantjie by supporting each other.
“We were all sad and down after his passing but because of the person he was we take that as a positive,” Rodgers told Phakaaathi. “He was always smiling and never angry, I can’t remember him being angry and he was always willing to help.”
“We take that as encouragement, we play in honour of him. We slowly accept that he is gone but we play in his honour. Even in the last game we pushed, we don’t allow his passing to affect us negatively we remain positive.”
Rodgers is confident that Stars players’ camaraderie will help them survive relegation this season.
“We have a good bunch of players with a positive attitude as well, we wish each other well and encourage each other which is very important to bring the best out of each other and we feel at home no matter who is playing we are behind each other.”
Stars, who next face Highlands Park on Wednesday night, are currently 15th on the log with 24 points in 25 matches.
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