I want to convey my heartfelt gratitude to all in the soccer community who work tirelessly to make this country a better place for poor individuals like me.
These are the custodians of soccer – the South African Football Association (SAFA) both national and local, soccer fans, former players and journalists.
Last Tuesday, November 19, we saw a packed Cape Town Stadium when our national team, Bafana Bafana, played South Sudan.
One has to say the Capetonians took inspiration from two big matches played by Bafana Bafana in Bloemfontein and Gqeberha.
Maybe the Cape’s treacherous weather, always disruptive, also listened on the day as it was a calm and welcoming evening.
One has to commend the custodians of soccer and all its sponsors for a job well done to market the match in Cape Town. I am happy that Safa is working together with former soccer stars again.
Cape Town and this province is football crazy. We have all the resources to compete with other provinces to host the big matches. However, for the past 15 years, we have been starved of big games including local cup finals.
The debate making rounds has been that this province is a rugby and cricket province.
Other talks have been that we are stingy and do not pay for matches to come here. But I have always felt that politics has played a part in us not getting cup finals. That again is arguable. However, we have never had a low turn-up at venues.
Let me congratulate those who contributed to making sure the stadium filled up on the day. On the Tuesday morning, me and four other journalists had an opportunity to sit down with one of the country’s soccer icons Doctor Khumalo, an ambassador for a betting company.
Mntungwa – his clan name – knows better than most about football in this country, having spent seasons playing for Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana. He has brought a lot of energy into our team and among fans. His presence says a lot to youngsters and up-and-coming soccer stars.
Like national team coach Hugo Broos, behind closed doors, Mntungwa has become part of the organising team that has boosted the confidence of players – encouraging them to believe in themselves and that every situation can be turned around.
Most of the credit must go to Broos and his technical team. He has changed the team and how it was perceived when he first arrived in the country. I have never seen such a stubborn person like him. His mentality is stronger than other coaches that have come to these shores. Had he not been as thick-skinned, he would have long ago resigned due to criticism from us. We might not always agree but he is always honest, has a great personality and I am happy that he is part of this country.
I cannot forget the work done by our local Safa Cape Town behind the scenes. Thinking a few steps ahead, it seems, is something that is second nature to president Bennet Bailey and his team, both on and off the pitch. Bailey had sleepless nights responding to all the queries and begging journalists to be real in reporting about the team and the province. He had been urging the fans to pack the stadium. And this is what they did. Enkosi, Bennet and your team.
By full-time, on a working day, most fans had remained in the ground as Bafana Bafana had beat South Sudan by 3-0. Those left wanted to let the players and manager know how they really felt. That melted my heart. To all involved, thank you for being part of this piece of our story in Cape Town.
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