Jozi’s gogos teach Limpopo’s Vakhegula lesson

12 October 2015

 

Granny Freda Dlamini, Jozi Gogos Football Club’s prolific and lethal goal poacher, scored a hat-trick to help her team sink Limpopo’s world-famous Vakhegula Vakhegula in a thrill-a-minute inaugural Go Jozi Grannies Soccer Challenge at the South End Park Sports Centre in Johannesburg on Saturday October 10.

 

The other goal, which made the score 4-3, was netted by the host’s livewire, Gogo Gladys Seopoli, in a clinical fashion.

 

Kokwani Millicent Tshuketani scored all three goals for the visiting Tzaneen-based team. The grannies from both sides exhibited excellent dribbling and passing skills to the delight of the spectators. The exciting match was watched by hundreds of enthusiastic soccer fans and high-profile personalities, including Member of the Mayoral Committee for Health and Social Development Councillor Nonceba Molwele, City of Johannesburg councillors and their Greater Tzaneen Municipality counterparts.

 

The event was hosted by the Inner City Ambassadors and the City of Johannesburg’s Health and Social Development Department. The winners received a trophy, medals and certificates of participation signed by Johannesburg Executive Mayor Cllr Parks Tau.

 

Vakhegula Vakhegula gained international acclaim in 2014 when they were invited to attend the Soccer World Cup in Brazil. The team was formed by community leader Beka Ntsanwisi. Some of the players were in their sick-beds when they were recruited after being floored by non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.

 

Many have since managed to bring the diseases under control as a result of regular engagement in physical activity. They have also participated in the United States Adult Soccer Association Veterans’ tournament in 2012 and 2014.

 

Saturday's event was held under the auspices of the City’s Go Jozi Healthy Lifestyle Programme, which seeks to improve the health of its residents through exercise and healthy eating. Earlier, an under-16 girls’ tournament saw the Inner City Ambassadors walloping Joburg United 6-0.Other activities included aerobics, netball, volleyball and a performance by the Alexandra Youth Choir.

 

MMC Molwele said people – young and old – should not die from lifestyle diseases. Molwele encouraged young and old to exercise daily to prevent these diseases.

Inner City Ambassadors Managing Director John Maluleke said the Go Jozi Grannies Soccer Challenge had also been held in other regions in the city.