Remembering Solly Krok: A Sundowns Icon Who Shaped a Legacy

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Remembering Solly Krok

A Sundowns Icon Who Shaped a Legacy

Author: Natashe Hove

On February 7, 2025, the football community bid farewell to Solly Krok, who passed away at the age of 95. Alongside his twin brother Abe Krok, who passed away in 2013, the twin brothers played a pivotal role in shaping Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club. They were co-owners from 1988 until 2003, when they sold their stake after steering the Club through a defining era.

Together with the Tsichlas family, they took over the Club in 1988 after Standard Bank liquidated it, transforming Sundowns into a powerhouse.

In a Club statement, Mamelodi Sundowns expressed their condolences:

“The Chairman and the Motsepe Family, the Board of Directors, Technical Team, Players, Management, Staff, and Supporters of Mamelodi Sundowns FC & the entire Yellow Nation express their deepest condolences to the family and friends as we mourn the loss of former Mamelodi Sundowns owner Solly Krok.”

The Club further acknowledged Solly’s contributions, stating:

“Solly and the Krok family played a pivotal role in the growth of Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club and contributed immensely to the South African business community.”

They concluded with a heartfelt tribute:

“The legacy, life and memory of the beloved Solly Krok will be carried on by his family and the many lives he touched through his passion for the beautiful game.”
It was a fitting acknowledgment of a man whose love for football left an indelible mark.

Solly and Abe laid the foundation for Sundowns’ success during their 15-year tenure. When they took over in 1988, the Club was struggling after liquidation, but they saw potential worth investing in. Alongside the Tsichlas family, they revitalized the Club, making Sundowns a competitive force. They weathered the ups and downs, from a modest fifth-place finish in their first season (1988-89) to the historic 1990 treble (NSL Castle League, BP Top 8 and JPS Cup), led by Stanley “Screamer” Tshabalala. Solly was a constant presence, cheering from the stands, believing in the players and keeping faith even in difficult seasons.

The road was not always smooth. Sundowns endured setbacks, such as narrow misses in 1991 and 1992, but triumphs soon followed. By the late 1990s, the Club was dominant, winning three consecutive league titles (1998-2000) under Ted Dumitru, along with the Bob Save Super Bowl and Rothmans Cup. Their crowning moment came in 2001 when Sundowns made history as only the second South African team to reach the CAF Champions League Final. Solly and Abe had built a gritty, determined and unforgettable Sundowns.

When they sold their shareholding in 2003, they left behind more than just a football Club—they left a legacy. Solly was a football lover who envisioned Sundowns thriving at the highest level, and thanks to his vision, the Club became a giant in African football. Today, the Yellow Nation stands tall because of the foundation laid by pioneers like Solly and Abe Krok.

To Solly’s family and friends, we extend our deepest sympathies. He was a remarkable man who lived a full life, and his impact on Mamelodi Sundowns will always be celebrated with gratitude and admiration. Rest in peace, Solly Krok.

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