Zakes’ Sports Corner recently attended the Kurra Cup at Conti FC ground in Wilberforce, Evaton, on Heritage Day.

Football was back where it belongs, or should I say where it all started – at the dusty soccer grounds.

This was a great advert for football, with the whole Sedibeng community gathered at this iconic soccer ground to watch exciting football throughout the day. This venue has great memories with teams such as Evaton Real Sweepers and Continental FC using it as their home ground.

How things have changed!

The venue was packed to capacity and reminded Zakes’ Sports Corner of the days when only two teams or one afternoon game could attract such a crowd. How things have changed… Nowadays, to attract such a number of soccer fans, you must organise a tournament.

Back at Conti FC ground, it was a trip down memory lane with Zakes’ Sports Corner reflecting back when football was still viewed as entertainment, not a money-making scam like today. These Kurra Cup games brought back the days when it was tradition and culture for the community to pack their nearby soccer grounds to watch their favourite soccer teams.

Let’s bring back the time when football kept young people out of trouble!

The Conti FC soccer ground produced the best players, with some even going to play at the highest level of football.

Kenneth ‘Conti’ Kubheka was one of the notable figures who used to entertain the Evaton community at this venue. This top location-born legend was one of the top players to play at this ground. There is a serious need to bring back those great football memories.

There was so much to celebrate on the day, with tradition and culture forming part of the Kurra Cup. Let’s bring back the time when football kept young people out of trouble.

Growing up in the community, football was the only thing that kept us busy and away from trouble.

Those with long memories will attest that there was less crime during those days because of football.