WATCH: Football club honours its late chairman through annual tourney
All eight teams received a soccer ball and Raliavhegwa’s wife and two children were given three gold medals to honour them.
Kempton Football Club came out tops at the annual Vhafarivhapiki #MD Rhudzani Raliavhegwa Tournament 2020 at Birch Acres Football Club on March 14.
Vhafarivhapiki Football Club from Birch Acres organised the honorary tournament.
“The tournament is in honour of our late chairman, Rhudzani ‘MD’ Raliavhegwa, who was also one of the founding members of the club,” said Thabelo ‘Tower’ Ramabulana, treasurer and team organiser at Vhafarivhapiki.
“H died in 2017. He was a great man and we will always miss him and his contribution to the club and the sport. We always had the idea but when his wife approached us about a way to honour him, we decided on the tournament to let his legacy live on.”
Lombard FC came second after a nail-biting final against Kempton that ended in a 1-1 draw. Kempton won 5-4 through penalties. Dzunde came third.
The local club’s current chairman, Thomani Makhala, told Express that it was the second year of the tournament and it was always in March.
“Raliavhegwa’s birthday was on Sunday (March 15), which motivated the date of the tournament. We always host the tournament either on March 15 or days around it,” said Makhala.
“We are blessed that the tournament grew. Last year we had four teams and this year eight. The plan is to continue growing the tournament.”
Teams from Germiston, Alexandra, Midrand and Pretoria, to mention a few, took part in the tournament. Some of the other teams at the tournament included Sparks, Phoenix, DK Masters and Mohlaka Motala.
Player of the tournament was awarded to Sizwe Maxase of Lombard FC. Kempton FC’s Stanley Molokwu took the goalkeeper of the tournament title and his teammate Mathew Ohow was the top goal scorer.
All eight teams received a soccer ball and Raliavhegwa’s wife and two children were given three gold medals to honour them.
“Last year we honoured the family with a framed photo of the team. We want to ensure we honour them with something every year,” said Ramabulana.
“Teams in podium positions also receive gold, silver and bronze medals with Raliavhegwa’s photo. The winners keep the floating trophy for a year until the next tournament.
“Thank you to everyone who helped make this tournament such a special and successful event. We are grateful that we were able to honour the great man through the sport he loved.”
