Young footballers awarded by Royal Titans in Langa

Lonwabo Marele|Published 4 months ago

Royal Titans held an awards ceremony for their footballers in Langa last month. From left are chairperson Nathi Gigaba, alongside MC Siyakha Macaula, vice-chairperson Sanele Nkomombini and guest speaker about education, Sive Sombo, from Langa. Pictures: Lonwabo Marele

The Langa community came together to celebrate in style as Royal Titans hosted their junior awards ceremony earlier this month.

The event introduced parents to the club’s coaches, players, and vision, with the leadership of the Langa-Ndabeni Local Football Association (LFA) in attendance.

Founded by Nathi Gigaba during the Covid-19 lockdown in honour of his late brother, Royal Titans has become a cornerstone of the community.

Together with Rustenberg Girls’ teacher Sanele Nkomombini, Gigaba has built a club that keeps 80 to 100 children engaged in soccer and off the streets.

The club fields teams from under-10 to under-18, all competing in the Langa LFA.

Earlier this year, the girls’ team celebrated victory at the Langa-Ndabeni Easter Tournament.

The awards night honoured hard work, dedication, and discipline. Players received awards for categories such as Top Goalscorer, Best Player, Most Improved, and Most Disciplined across all age groups.

Top goalscorer in under-10 went to Sakhiso Ndawana, best player was Kukhanye Ziwele, most improved award went to Avuyile Nomgqa and the most disciplined went to Abonga Vellem.

In the under-12 category, the top goalscorer was Ibvile Mayekiso, the best player was Luqhame Lusizi, most improved went to Owethu Mafunda and most disicipline went to Onothando Nyanda.

In the under-14 category, the awards went to striker Peter Chiremba, Siyonela Mrwetyana as the best player, Image Koko as the most improved and Lwandle Duda as the most disciplined.

The under-16 category’s top goal scorer was Peter Chiremba, with Akhe Mkhalipi as the best player, Endinako Gadeni as the most improved and Avuyo NCinane as the most disciplined.

In the women’s team section, Zintle Fuku was the top goal scorer of the year, with Onovuyo Ngcobongwana as the best player, Zenande Mawashu as the most improved and Lilitha Ramba as the most disciplined.

The club also had the Chairman’s Awards given to Lunikho Toga, Lelona Msenge and Sinhle Sango for their commitment and hard work.

The overall player of the season went to Peter Chiremba.

This year Royal Titans also introduced a girls team after demand grew in the community of Langa. Chairperson Nathi Gigaba said they want to win the girls’ division of the league and enter tournaments across the city in 2025.

The young footballers came out in numbers to celebrate their success.

Decorations were themed to the colour of the homeshirt.

This year was all about hard work, discipline and dedication at Royal Titans Football Club in Langa. Their accolades are a testament to the team’s hard work. Their girl’s team was crowned winners in the Easter tournaments in Langa.

On dark days in winter and late nights in summer, Langa Safety Patrol’s Linda ‘Malume’ Mzomba and his team help to keep the neighbourhood safe. He emphasised how keeping children on the field helps them to stay away from the streets.

Vice-chairperson in the club, Sive Nkomombini’s passion is around children. He ploughs his trades as teacher at Rustenberg Girls’, and as a coach at Royal Titans in Langa.

Parent S’bu Mtungata emphasised the importance of listening and discipline, to the young footballers.

The footballers received trophies and certificates from the Royal Titans Football Club, affiliated with the Langa Local Football Association.

The energy was buzzing with positivity in Langa with Royal Titans hosting the end of the year anniversary with awards for the junior boys and girls teams. Picture: Lonwabo Marele