SEDIBENG.- Sedibeng Ster Sport continues to look at the lives of past and current players and football administrators from the Vaal.

This week, Sedibeng Ster Sport looks at the football journey of Kenneth ‘Conti’ Kubheka, who needs no introduction in South African football. He is another notable name who served South African football with distinction both as a player and a coach. Kubheka was one of the terrific footballers to have come from the Vaal in the 1980s and 1990s.

Born in Vereeniging, formerly Top Location, Kubheka won the hearts of many soccer fans with his talent.

He used to mesmerise his markers with his talent, playing teams such as the now-defunct Vereeniging Old Boys FC.

Like any youngster in the community, he started his amateur football career playing for one of the legendary local soccer teams, Evaton Real Sweepers. However, he rose to stardom when he joined Vaal Professional, playing alongside some of the most talented players like Johannes ‘Satch’ Modise, Johannes ‘Master’ Mosibi, Petrus Maleke, and Bricks Mbele, to mention a few.

Kubheka was a celebrated player, and his down-to-earth personality made many soccer fans admire him. When he retired from top-flight football, he went back to his hometown, Evaton, and formed a soccer team known as Continental FC. The club was a feared amateur team in the Vaal Triangle with great players.

No doubt, he was one of the generation of players who hoisted the Vaal Triangle flag high as a player before he embarked on coaching.

He is a highly qualified and educated coach in South Africa, having obtained his coaching qualifications in Holland. He is still very involved in the development of football in this country. He is one of SAFA’s Coach Instructors.

This former SA U23 National Team Coach runs his Continental Sports Academy at Wilberforce College in Evaton, and he had a short stint with Kaizer Chiefs Development.