Latest news with #Zakes'SportsCorner
The Citizen
20 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
They are happy to be watched by drunkards
They are happy to be watched by drunkards SEDIBENG.- The so-called kasi football is slowly taking over organised football in the Vaal. It seems these young soccer stars idolise this so-called kasi football over structured football. However, Zakes' Sports Corner doesn't blame them, they were told that playing these kasi games is better than playing league matches, because the scouts might see them. There is no more respect for playing organised football, which falls under the South African Football Association (SAFA) structures. These players have been told that if they want to play at the highest level of football, playing this so-called kasi football will make their dreams come true. Really! In the past, playing football under SAFA structures was the wish of any boy growing up in the community. But not now! To some, playing leagues and organised football is just a waste of time. They would rather be happy to be watched by drunkards at the 'kasi football'. Please, don't misunderstand Zakes' Sports Corner, there is nothing wrong with playing those kasi football or community tournaments. But it is concerning when the youngsters choose them over structured football. It is not a secret that the standard of SAFA at the regional and LFA levels is not the same as before. As things stand, it has been a while since this region has had a team in the top-flight football. This is because 'kasi football' is more important than playing under SAFA structures. My point is that tournaments are being played all over Sedibeng. Gone are the days when playing under SAFA structures was a top priority. Like Zakes' Sports Corner said earlier, the youngsters have been misled by a certain individual that playing this 'kasi football' is better than wasting their time playing league matches. They were told that by playing kasi football, they stand a chance of being seen by the scouts. Se Voet! There is no doubt that this region is blessed when it comes to talented footballers; stats don't lie. This region is the breeding ground of South African football. How did we end up here as a region? No one knows! Zakes' Sports Corner believes that it is not too late to start over and go back to the way we used to respect structured football. It is not as if Zakes' Sports Corner hates kasi football or these community soccer tournaments. No, but there must be respect for structured football. These youngsters must know that playing under the SAFA structure is more important than playing so-called kasi football. This region deserves better when it comes to football. History has no blank pages! 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!
