Safa awards football stalwarts

South African Football Association (Safa) in the Capricorn Region recognised the efforts of its administrators and managers in promoting football in the region during its annual awards ceremony held in Polokwane on Saturday.
Notable recipients of the day were Merriam Legodi, Daniel Machaba and Salthiel Mamabolo for their outstanding and long service in women’s and men’s football development programmes.
Baroka Football Club’s development team, were recognised for winning the South African Breweries (SAB) League and gaining promotion to the ABC Motsepe League in July.
Joe Academy Football Club, University of Limpopo Football Club, Brazil Football Club, Polokwane Money Football Club, Peace United Football Club, Maeba Chiefs Football Club and Moria Sweepers Football each received a certificate for finishing the SAB League in the top 8 bracket.
Abel Rakoma, President of Safa in the Capricorn Region said with the awards they wanted to inspire other teams in the league and also encourage excellence. “Legodi, Machaba and Mamabolo are good servants of the association. They are the epitome of excellence. They have been doing well in the administration of the game of football in the Capricorn Region. We are thus statutory bound to accord some accolades to them,” Rakoma said.
He also mentioned the Safa Capricorn Region office will be named after the late former President of the association Reuben Mogashoa who died in a car crash in 2002. “We decided to name the office after him because his contribution to football development is still witnessed. He might have left us but his ideas and dreams remain with us going forward. He was a unifier, networker and he was passionate about football,” Rakoma said.
Mogashoa’s widow, Nomsa said they were overjoyed by the association’s gesture. “It means a lot to the whole family. He lived for football. Football was not only his passion but his life,” she said.
MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture Onicca Moloi and executive members of the association were also present at the event.

Story and photos: Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert.observer@gmail.com