January 18, 2005
By Bafana Nzimande
THE WHITE City residents gathered in an elegant white marquee on the grassed soccer field at the Jabavu Sports Complex in White City, in Soweto, on Saturday were in a celebratory mood.
They were simply savouring becoming the soccer champions of the annual Godfrey Moloi Goodwill Games - something achieved after 24 unsuccessful attempts.
And the coaches and team members put it down to being able to practise at the Jabavu Sports Complex, opened by the City of Johannesburg last year.
"It's an open secret that, through our training sessions held at the Jabavu Sports Complex, we managed to have the upper hand against other cup contenders," said the White City soccer squad's coach, Loli Malambula.
"By the time we went into the tournament our players had already been acclimatised to playing on a grassed soccer field," he added.
The annual Godfrey Moloi Goodwill Games take place in Soweto over two weeks in December. The main attraction is the men's soccer, but netball and a 10km run also feature.
Forty-eight soccer teams took part - with the White City squad beating the host team, Mapetla, 1-0 in the final.
The celebration at the sports complex on Saturday 15 January was organised by the squad's managers, with the help of the Region 6 sports and recreation department.
"Besides our excellent discipline, it's thanks to this complex that our boys had a smooth transition to the new grassed tournament venue," Malambula said.
This was the first time the soccer tournament, hosted by the Mapetla Sport Complex, had been held on grass. And, according to Malambula, many teams had trouble adjusting to the pitch.
Guests at the celebration included: Bongani Zondi, the Ward 35 councillor; Vusi Kunene, representing the Godfrey Moloi Goodwill Games organising committee; and Evans Moabelo, the president of the South African Football Coaches' Association. He performed the role of master of ceremonies.
"Compared to neighbouring townships, White City is blessed with top-class recreation facilities that are of benefit to all its residents," said Zondi.
"Previously, White City was known for its high crime statistics," he added, "but things have changed for the better as our government, with the help of local residents, has been able to change this township's bad image by engaging its youngsters in sports activities and by providing its residents with recreational facilities."
According to Zondi, plans to renovate the vandalised Arthur Ashe Tennis Court are in the final stages and very soon the Jabavu Sports Complex will have extra netball courts, a boxing clubhouse and a library.
"We all know that sport is a short career, that's why we have decided to build a library within the area - so that our upcoming sporting heroes can also empower themselves with education," he added.
An ecstatic Sipho Mlambo, a veteran soccer player from White City, sent a strong message to the local soccer heroes: "I am very proud of you boys for putting White City on Soweto's soccer map, but being champions for one season is not enough. I hope that by this time next year we will all be gathered here again to celebrate our second Moloi victory."
A cow was slaughtered as part of the celebrations and a meal was prepared.
"Today our soccer ancestors are smiling and dancing in their graves because, finally, White City is counted amongst the best soccer-playing townships," Mlambo said.
Amasotsha, a local dance group, and Khenza City, a kwatio duo, entertained the crowd - with Khenza City performing "White City Forever".
The White City players sang and paraded their gold medals and the Moloi trophy. As the older guests drifted away, DJ Mbulelo pumped up the volume for the dancers on the floor.
The team also garnered R20 000 for first place. The captain, Nhlanhla Tshabalala, was named the best player of the tournament, and Clement Mabaso was named the best goalkeeper.
"I am very proud of being part of the first White City team to collect gold in the Moloi tournament," said Tshabalala.
Added Mabaso: "The evolution has started. Soon White City will dominate Soweto and South Africa in all sporting codes."
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