POLOKWANE – The inaugural Tumelo ‘Powerbank’ Tepanyekga Memorial Games were held at Westenburg Stadium on Saturday, honouring the life of a young soccer talent whose memory continues to inspire.

Tumelo, a cancer survivor, passed away in March last year at the age of 15 years and five months due to unexpected heart complications.

His mother, Ngwakoana Tepanyeka said that while he had been in remission, his sudden illness initially seemed like the flu.

“I thought he had the flu, and even the doctor didn’t see anything serious. As it progressed, they suspected pneumonia. On a Monday, we rushed him to a private hospital, but by the Tuesday morning, he had heart complications and passed away.”

Despite the pain of losing her son, she found comfort in seeing him honoured by the teams he once played with.

“My tears today are not from sadness but from joy. Seeing these players, I see Tumelo among them. He was always positive, and I hope they never let anything stop them from achieving their dreams,” she said.

His younger brother, Tebogo Tepanyekga, expressed excitement and sadness, wishing Tumelo could have been there to experience the tribute.

Coach Tlou Molekwane from the Tlou Molekwane Football Academy, where Tumelo played, remembered him as a remarkable young man. “He would greet everyone from the gate to the field. Today is not about sadness but a celebration of life. We made sure the players had fun while focusing on agility, coordination, and speed,” he said.

The four-team tournament featured the Euro Soccer School FastFeet Football Development Club, Shooting Stars Soccer Academy and the Tlou Molekwane Football Academy.

“We chose these teams because Tumelo played against them, and they knew the kind of person he was. Their presence here is a sign of support and remembrance,” Molekwane added.

The Tlou Molekwane Football Academy emerged as the tournament winners, making the day a fitting tribute to a young star gone too soon.