Since retiring from football in 2011, Orlando Pirates legend Steve ‘Chippa’ Lekoelea has kept a low profile, leaving many curious about his life after football.
Steve Lekoelea Finds New Purpose in Car Sales
Recently, it was revealed that Lekoelea is now working as a car dealer. The former Pirates star, who once graced the field with his skills, has embraced a new career as a sales executive at Roar Car Dealership in Johannesburg.
In an interview with TimesLive, Lekoelea expressed his satisfaction with his new life. “I’m happy, and I have peace,” he shared. “Life has been good to me; I don’t have stress. The gift of life is what matters most to me. Every day I wake up, I’m grateful for that.”
Although Lekoelea is still learning the ropes of the car sales industry, he’s committed to improving. “It’s a learning process. I’m getting better every day. Now, I understand the tactics they use to attract customers,” he said.
Staying Connected to Football
Despite his career shift, Lekoelea has not distanced himself from football. He continues to contribute to the sport by nurturing young talent through his football academy, where he trains the next generation of players from a young age.
A Growing Trend Among Former Players
Lekoelea’s move into car sales isn’t unique. Many former Premier Soccer League (PSL) players have ventured into this industry. In 2023, Katlego ‘Killer’ Mphela, another football legend, made headlines when he revealed he had transitioned into car sales after his football career. He worked for Lindsay Saker VW Midrand in Gauteng before stepping away from the dealership in 2024.
Lekoelea’s Illustrious Football Career
Lekoelea’s career began at a young age. He started his youth career at Two For Joy before moving to Milton Academy. At just 15 years old, he debuted for Moroka Swallows in 1994, becoming the league’s youngest scorer at 16 years old in February 1995.
In 1995, he joined Orlando Pirates, where he became a club legend. After over 190 appearances and more than 50 goals, Lekoelea left the Buccaneers in 2005, later playing for Maritzburg United, Platinum Stars, and Mbabane Highlanders before retiring from the game.
