Bimenyimana explains ‘Pirates sign’ celebration

Kaizer Chiefs new striker Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana has explained his ‘Orlando Pirates sign’ celebration in the 2-1 win over SuperSport United in a DStv Premiership clash on Saturday evening at FNB Stadium.

Burundian international raised eyebrows with his goal celebration as he netted a brace in his first start.

After scoring the equaliser against Matsatsantsa, his first goal since joining Amakhosi, Bimenyimana ‘clawed’ his way along the pitch like a predator introducing himself to South Africa’s topflight.

However, it was the second goal celebration that got fans talking as he imitated a Buccaneer and crossed his hands in front of him in a similar fashion to arch-rivals, Pirates’ trademark gesture.

Bimenyimana, who, after two substitute appearances for Chiefs, got his first start against SuperSport, has since explained the bizarre celebrations.

CALEB EXPLAINS CELEBRATION

“My first goal celebration was the ‘black panther.’ I have been doing it since I was young with my brother, who plays in Turkey for Istanbul Baseksahir,” he told the Chiefs media department.

“Even for the second one, it was for him because, in the morning, I talked to him on the phone, and he told me, ‘Today, you’re going to score, and you know what to do.’ When I scored the first, I almost forgot to do it,” he laughs.

“The ‘black panther’ is to show how hungry I am to score goals, and the second one was also for my friend, Yusuf, who also plays in Istanbul.”

In further explaining his second goal celebration, which was a Pirates’ trademark gesture, Bimenyimana said:

 “It had nothing to do with Pirates. I wasn’t even thinking that it’s the same.

“As I said, it was for me and my brother, what we always do, but now that I know what it means, I won’t do it in this country.

“So, everyone was confused about that on social media, but I repeat, I did it for my friends and my brother. I was happy.”

“In Burundi, we have that sign of a cross, which is part of our tradition. Since we were under-17, we’ve been doing that celebration, and we have grown together to senior level in the national team.

“And again, in Burundi, it means ‘we are together,’ like ‘I’ve got your back, and you’ve got my back,’ so that is why we want to keep it. It even appears on the Burundian flag.”