VEREENIGING.- Vereeniging came to a standstill when Mamelodi Sundowns development teams visited the area to play against Boitshepiville selected squads at President Park Stadium in Vereeniging over the weekend.

The selected squads played against Sundowns development teams from the u/13, u/15, u/17 and u/19. It was football galore throughout the day from the morning until the afternoon with the parents/families coming to support their children playing against one of the biggest clubs in the continent. These games were part of bringing unity in Boitshepiville. It was a great initiative, a first of its kind, to see opposition coaches sharing the bench/dressing room for the sake of unity in this region.

This initiative was in the same line as the Dstv Compact Cup that was organised by the Premier Soccer League recently.
This event was graced by former soccer greats such as Augustine Makalakalane, Phiri Tsotetsi, Aaron Mokoena and Abia Nale to mention but few with Sundowns coming with their former great such as Isaac Shai, Fire Masilele, Michael Manzini, David Notoane and their development coaches under the leadership of Sam Mbatha, Lunga Nobela and Mandla Mazibuko.
RESA, which will be campaigning in the Gauteng Development League in the new season provided their facilities and their u/19 was part of this initiative that was organised by NWU Vaal in conjunctions with Boitshepivile development teams to bring together local development coaches and managers. Speaking to Sedibeng Ster Sport, Mamelodi Sundowns Head Of Development, Sam Mbatha thanked all those who participated in this one day spectacular. He said as Mamelodi Sundowns they are looking forward to the same project next year.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank you guys on behalf of our president who is in Egypt with the senior team. As Mamelodi Sundowns we are looking forward to be part of this initiative again next year. It was a great day of football to see Vaal development coaches working together and we learned a lot from this project. I want to thank all of the people who are involved in this programme and made it a success,” said Mbatha.

Former Bafana Bafana dreadlocked midfielder Augustine Makalakalane was also full of praise for the local development coaches.
“We need more of these programmes for the development of our football in this region, and I had a great day watching these youngsters expressing their passion in the field of play,” said Makalakalane.