Latest news with #NtateLehoko
The Citizen
30-04-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Boipatong FC and Young Pirates FC now first and second
BOIPATONG.- Boipatong FC and Young Pirates are first and second in the SAFA Sedibeng Hollywood Regional League log standings respectively. These two sides played to a 3-3 draw in the exciting SAFA Sedibeng Hollywood Regional League during the Easter long weekend to consolidate their position on the log. This top-of-the-table encounter was played at the packed Boipatong Stadium, with local soccer fans packing the venue to capacity to watch this exciting encounter. It was a six-goal thriller with both sides attacking each other from the first whistle to the last. However, the home team, Boipatong FC, could have won this encounter as they created clear scoring chances compared to their opponent. As things stand, Young Pirates are still topping the log standings with 68 points from 25 games, while Boipatong FC is second on the log with 58 points from the same number of games. This game will go down as one of the best matches in the calendar of local football. Both sides came into this encounter well prepared, and the draw was a fair result, looking at how the two played on the day. It was football without fear, with the local soccer fans enjoying every moment of action from the stands. In another game, the third-placed Perfect Academy beat Mmabatho 2-0 to put pressure on the top. Perfect Academy is third on the log after they accumulated 56 points from the same number of games as Boipatong FC and Young Pirates FC. To date, Young Pirates FC are the defending champions, and they look like they will defend their title as things stand. This game took place at the Isak Steyl Stadium on Saturday. It was supposed to take place at George Thabe Stadium, but was moved to Isak Steyl Stadium due to the funeral of Simon 'Bull' Lehoko, which took place at the venue. All the games that were supposed to take place at George Thabe Stadium were moved to other venues due to the funeral. This caused controversy as some of the teams felt that the games could have been postponed so that they could attend Ntate Lehoko's funeral. SAFA Sedibeng Hollywood Regional League fixtures: Thursday VUT FC vs Star Boys Academy Metro Stars FC vs 016 Magista FC Juventus FC vs Mmabatho FC Ghabon FC vs Morning Stars Vaal Milano FC vs Morning Stars Vaal Milano vs Vaal Elite Academy Celta Vigo FC vs Perfect Academy Boipatong FC vs Real Hearts FC Ben 10 FC vs RESA Army Gym Shooting Stars FC vs Sebokeng Ajax FC Saturday Mmabatho FCvs Celta Vigo FC Morning Stars FC vs Boipatong FC Metro Stars vs Ghabon FC Real Hearts vs Army Gym Shooting Stars Sebokeng Ajax FC vs VUT FC SUBS vs Vaal Milano FC At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
30-04-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Give them their flowers now – while they are still alive!
Give them their flowers now – while they are still alive! SEDIBENG.- Jomo Sono once said, 'Don't honour or name a stadium after me when I'm dead. If you want to honour me, do it now while I'm still alive.' Zakes' Sports Corner totally agrees with him! The funeral of Simon 'Bull' Lehoko reminded me of Bra J's (Jomo Sono) words. This thing of making promises to the families of these former players after they have passed on is nothing but hypocritical, to say the least. Zakes' Sports Corner has said this before, people like Dr Molefi Oliphant and Ntate Lehoko were supposed to be honoured a long time ago, but no! Ntate Lehoko is gone without being honoured by the Vaal community for his contribution not only to Vaal football, but South African football. A person lucky enough to be honoured while he was still alive was former football par excellence administrator George 'Kid Action' Thabe. The George Thabe Stadium was named after him while he was still alive and kicking. For that, Zakes' Sports Corner gives that particular person or institution a round of applause. Ironically, the same can't be said about Ntate Lehoko, who dedicated his life to the development of South African football when it wasn't easy. This was during those days when apartheid was the order of the day. MATTER OF FACT, Ntate Lehoko won't forgive us for not giving him his flowers while he was still alive. We are a generation that doesn't care about others! This thing of coming to people's funerals and lying with our straight faces must come to an end. We are nothing but football hypocrites! It is sad when people use other people's funerals as a popularity contest! This is absolutely wrong, to say the least. Ntate Oliphant is the last man standing with so many accolades, but still yet to be honoured. For starters, Ntate Oliphant is not only a football administrator guru but also an academic of note. He was a teacher, principal and director of education, to mention but a few! Some men and women play an important role in our society, but we fail to honour them while they are still alive. Why? Bra J is right, don't give them flowers after their departure, give them now while they are still alive. Zakes' Sports Corner appeals to football people to stop using their former teammates' funerals as a meeting point. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
21-04-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Farewell Bra Bull
SEDIBENG.- Zakes' Sports Corner want to take this opportunity to join South Africa football fraternity to mourn the passing of one of greatest football players to have to graced our football. The passing of this former Kaizer Chiefs legend, Simon Lehoko, has brought lot of emotions and fond memories to Zakes' Sports Corner, I had a close and personal relationship with Ntate Lehoko. Zakes' Sports Corner didn't anticipate that one day I would be talking about 'Bra Bull' in past tense. Gone without a goodbye! I wrote a series of articles about Lehoko when he coached Vaal Professionals and even after he retired from football. Bra Bull would ask his son to call me to come to see him at his home in Sharpeville. He would share some great memories about South Africa football history and the formation of Vaal Professionals from Real X20 FC and how Orlando Pirates would come to play against Sharpeville selected squad at George Thabe Stadium. Zakes' Sports Corner, however, must confess that Ntate Lehoko was not a happy man, too much happened which resulted to the downfall of the mighty Vaal Professionals. The club ownership dispute was one of the things that saw the end of 'Setla' in South African football. I would sit down with him as he related to yours truly, Zakes' Sports Corner, what went wrong in South African football. Despite being on a wheelchair Bra Bull was still strong and still remembered everything like it happened yesterday. He had a sharp memory, remembering everything that happened both as a player and coach, he was well informed not only about football but life in general. I used to admire his intellect and wisdom. Bra Bull was not just a football person. In fact, he was a teacher by qualification. He goes without saying goodbye, and for us to have the last conversation before his departure. Farwell Bra Bull, farewell! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
