The cry of vuvuzelas blared through Ward 7 and 8 recently as locals took part in a friendly soccer day, organised by a group of third-year Rhodes University journalism students.
The cry of vuvuzelas blared through Ward 7 and 8 recently as locals took part in a friendly soccer day, organised by a group of third-year Rhodes University journalism students.
Teams were organised by soccer enthusiasts living in Ward 7 and 8, with a few players from the Assumption Sisters Mission. Players were split up into junior and senior age groups and named their own teams. Fans of famous teams were revealed by their choice of names were evident from team names such as 'The Pirates', 'Bafana Bafana' and 'Ajax'.
Two games were played at a time, with each team using one half of the field. Refereeing the games were Thembalani File and Ahmed Faraz Yusuf.
While the aspiring young soccer champions played, members of the Muslim Student’s Association, Adil Qudussi and Naeem Patel ran a soccer clinic from the second field.
During the day, many children and teenagers sat and watched or played in the soccer clinic. Others chatted to the journalism students and played games with them. Many posed for pictures for the photojournalists.
Andile Nyathi, a learner from Ward 7, commented on the day: “It is a good idea because everyone likes to play soccer and to have fun on the weekend. Today I think everyone had fun.”
Siya, a player for “The Tigers,” said: “I love soccer so I play it every day. It is fun to play against new people.”
By midday, the champions for the seniors and juniors had been determined. The junior finals was won by team Bafana Bafana who beat Ajax 3-0. Team A were the winners of the senior division, beating Team C 5-1.
The winning teams each received a cake. Team A players received t-shirts while Bafana Bafana team members each received a book. All the soccer players received a hotdog and juice at the end of match gathering. Everyone played clean, fair games and enjoyed themselves immensely. .
