Mamelodi-born professional soccer legend Thulasizwe “Juju” Mbuyane expressed joy after being honoured via a tournament named after him in the township at the weekend.
“It is a privilege to be recognised by one’s own people while one is still alive,” said an elated Mbuyane.
“My wish is to see as many young people as possible in Mamelodi playing professional soccer in the future and this tournament will serve as a motivation to them,” he said.
The tournament featured 8 teams consisting of different ages from young players to older ones around Mbuyane’s hometown sections.
It was held at the Central Sports Grounds in Mamelodi West with teams from B1, C1, C4, A3, A1, B3, C3, and a team called 2 Touch.
The tournament was organised by two young men, Jack Ngaka and Lehlogonolo Ditsabatho who are based in Mamelodi West.
Ngaka told Tshwane Talks that after seeing so many young people in eKasi being bored and not having much else to do except engaging themselves in bad habits in the streets, they came up with an idea for a soccer tournament that would keep the said young people away from the streets.
“We subsequently approached our local Councilor Sizwe Tsiane in this regard, and he suggested that via this tournament, we must honour one of our own residents in the form of former Orlando Pirates star Juju Mbuyane,” said Ngaka.
“Councilor Tsiane, the ANCYL and various businesses sponsored the event with water, and food,” said Ngaka.
He said he and Ditsabatho plan to host such tournaments every now and then, and that it was a privilege to be in the midst of stars like Juju Mbuyane and encouraging young kids to take opportunities that would take them off the streets.
Councilor Tsiane acknowledged that he was approached by Ngaka and Ditsabatho with an idea about this tournament and that he was happy to have sponsored the tournament and honoring the invite that was extended to him by the two young men Ngaka and Ditsabatho to attend the soccer event.
2 Touch soccer team won the final match against A1 United and the losing team’s coach Ntsako Chauke told Tshwane Talks that he accepted the defeat and that his team did their best to win but would do better next time around.
Winning team coach Zweli Mvubu said his charges won fair and square without even training in preparation for the game and that in itself was remarkable.
“We are all very happy, we are all friends playing the beautiful game and we hope that the tournament will be hosted every year,” said Mvubu.
Winning team 2 Touch won themselves R1 500 and medals as tournament champions.
