Bonds strengthened through soccer
The Premier’s Social Cohesion Games in Mohlakeng lived up to expectations, joining many African nations together.
An array of soccer legends honoured the clarion call made by Gauteng Premier David Makhura to take a stand against xenophobia by taking part in the Premier’s Social Cohesion Games held at the Patrick Ace Ntsoelengoe Stadium in Mohlakeng on Sunday, 15 April.
The games brought several Gauteng communities together in a soccer game against foreign nationals residing in Gauteng regions, metros, cities and towns in preliminary games a week earlier. Mohlakeng hosted the West Rand version of the preliminary games.
The Premier also got into the thick of things and set an example when he put on the soccer boots and kit of his Premier’s Invitational side, which included the likes of former Bafana Bafana players and our own local star, Donald Ace Khuse; Doctor Khumalo; Phumodzo Manendze (former Orlando Pirates player and now an analyst on SABC Sport), and Zambian international, Kalusha Byalwa.
They were up against a Gauteng Invitational side which included Lucky Lekgwati, the former Pirates captain, and DJ Cleo, who showed that despite his other side of turntables and stages, he was a goal-keeper. On top of it all, both teams featured Banyana Banyana stars – Portia Modise in the Gauteng Invitational side and Anah Monate in the Premier’s Invitational side.
It was also interesting to see soccer writer and TV analyst David Kekana exchanging the microphone for the Gauteng Invitational team’s kit, even though he did not last long in the game before being substituted.
The game ended with a Premier’s Invitational side victory of 5–4 on penalties – the premier himself scoring two of the penalties.
It was, however, a different ball game for Rand West City’s ‘father’, better known as our mayor, Mzi Khumalo. He played for Ace Khuse’s side against locals MaHippie (The Hippies) in a goalless draw. At one stage, Ace put up a through pass to the mayor, but he fell, much to the delight of the crowd.
In other results, Joburg Inner City Nigeria beat Ekurhuleni Nigeria 1–0 in a six-a-side final; the Women’s Ekurhuleni team beat Sedibeng 1–0; Sedibeng lost 1–0 to Tshwane; and in the Gogo (Granny’s) section, Soweto played to a goalless draw against Sedibeng.
At the closing ceremony, Gauteng Premier, David Makhura handed a trophy and a certificate of appreciation to the wife and kids of the late Patrick Ace Ntsoelengoe.
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