Where is former Orlando Pirates star Steve 'Chippa' Lekoelea now?

Where is former Orlando Pirates star Steve ‘Chippa’ Lekoelea now?

Orlando Pirates legend Steve Lekoelea disappeared from the spotlight after hanging up his boots in 2011. But what has he been up to since?

Orlando Pirates legend Steve Lekoelea. Image: Instagram @sa_oldschool_players

Since hanging his boots in 2011, Orlando Pirates legend Steve ‘Chippa’ Lekoelea has managed to keep his private life under wraps, leaving many to guess even about his whereabouts.

ORLANDO PIRATES LEGEND STEVE ‘CHIPPA’ LEKOELEA NOW SELLING CARS

The publication has since tracked down the star, who is now selling cars. The former Orlando Pirates star recently opened up about his life after football.

Speaking to the media, he said he has been embracing his new career as a car dealer. Steve ‘Chippa’ Lekoelea is now in sales and works as a sales executive for Roar car dealership.

Speaking to TimesLive, he revealed that he is now into selling cars and has been working with Roar – a popular car dealership in Johannesburg.

“I’m happy, and I have peace,” he said. “Life has been good to me; I don’t have stress. What’s important to me is the gift of life. As long as I’m alive and God wakes me up every morning, I’m just grateful for that.”

The publication noted that he joined Roar about a month ago and is happy with his new job. The Orlando Pirates legend might be unfamiliar with the trade but is eager to learn.

“It’s a learning process. I’m getting better every day. I now know the tactics they use to get customers,” Steve Lekoelea added.

However, Steve Lekoelea is still involved in football across all verticals. He has been nurturing young talent through his football academy.

“We start them at a young age so they can become good soccer players when they grow up,” he noted.

After all, with his new career path, he joins a host of former Premier Soccer League players who have spread their wings to selling cars.

In 2023, former Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns goal poacher Katlego ‘Killer’ Mphela made headlines when he revealed he was a car salesman.

He was a salesman for a well-known car dealership in Lindsay Saker VW Midrand, Gauteng. According to Sunday World, he left the dealership that gave him a lifeline to get his life back on track in 2024.

ILLUSTRIOUS PREMIER LEAGUE CAREER

According to reports, he started his youth career with Two For Joy. However, the Orlando Pirates legend later joined Milton Academy before making his senior debut with Moroka Swallows in 1994 at the age of 15 and 257 days.

At 16 years, 7 days, he went down in the history books as the league’s youngest scorer on 12 February 1995.

Against his debut season, he joined the Orlando Pirates in 1995 and became a club legend. After over 190 caps and over 50 goals, he left the club in 2005 for Maritzburg United.

From Maritzburg United, he joined a string of clubs, including Platinum Stars and Mbabane Highlanders, before hanging his boots.