Soccer is known as a sport for men. However, women are now also kicking the ball. There is a national soccer team for females, aptly called Banyana Banyana. Not long ago, SAFA (South African Football Association) in partnership with Sasol launched a women’s soccer league. That’s progressive.
Soccer is a short career. Most players hang up their boots at age 35. It’s only an exceptional few players that go as far as 40. The name of Siyabonga Nomvete and the late John Shoes Moshoeu come to mind.
Interestingly, Kagiso grannies have decided to play soccer in their twilight years. Why would female oldies choose soccer over bowling, a cool and clean sport that has less potential for injuries? “We don’t play rough,” said Sinah Seloro, one of the football-playing grannies. The sport also keeps us physically and mentally fit, added Seloro.
The social development department is fully behind the local oldies. It supports the grannies in a holistic way. Mogale City Local Municipality also support the local soccer-mad grannies. So, they enjoy the support of the relevant stakeholders in their newly found passion.
They are so serious about their soccer that every two weeks they play against others in and around the country. They have been to a few parts of the country (with the help of the Social Development Department) to kick the ball. In July, they played in Durban.
The grannies have been kicking the ball for almost a year now. They enjoy themselves to the fullest and can’t think of life without soccer. Do they use nick-names such as Maradona, Dona Doni, Ace and Jomo? I wonder.
Gone are the days when grannies sit at home and run after their grandchildren. They now keep busy by playing soccer and socialising with their peers. It’s a good and healthy way to kill time, if not to enjoy themselves.
