SEDIBENG.- Gone are the days when the Soweto derby used to be dominated by Vaal players, be it in a friendly, Cup, or official match.
Simon “Bull” Lehoko, Malome Phiri, Phiri Tsotetsi, Thabang Rooi, Mokete Tsotetsi, Fortune Koloba, Steve “Chippa” Lekoelea, Thabo Rakhale, and Abia Nale were some of the notable local players who used to feature in the Soweto derby in recent years.
Coming into this weekend’s Soweto derby, Siyabonga Ngezana is likely to be the only Vaal-based player to feature in this much anticipated Soweto derby which is one of the biggest derbies in the calendar of football in the world. This is unlike the Vaal not to have more representatives in the Soweto derby especially from both teams, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
Why?
There are more questions than answers taking into consideration the above-mentioned names.
Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates for the past two seasons have promoted some exciting youngsters from Vaal but some of them are on loan while others are sitting somewhere in the stands. It makes sense why both teams don’t enjoy the success they used to enjoy in the past when Vaal players used to dominate the Soweto derby.
It is safe to say, there is no more excitement in the Soweto derby without Vaal-based players who used to make this derby entertaining. Steve Lekoelea, Thabo Rakhale, and Abia Nale were the last players from Vaal who used to entertain supporters from both teams in the derby. I still remember as if it was yesterday when Orlando Pirates’ Chairman Dr Irvin Khoza said, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, without Vaal players, are incomplete. In fact, any PSL team without Vaal players is not a complete team.
TOUCHLINE still recalls how Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates supporters used to gather at Zone 11 Post Office to go to FNB Stadium to watch these two South African football giants. This was during the days of the late Mzion Mofokeng, who was known as the Orlando Pirates No 1supporter.
Steve Lekoelea will remain the Vaal’s Finest to entertain soccer fans in the Soweto derby. He was a household name in South African football and was one of the SA U/23 National Team players who stunned mighty Brazil in the Olympics in 2000.
TOUCHLINE will always maintain that there is a need for a Vaal Home of Fame to decorate the men and women who have hoisted the Sedibeng flag high in sports.
