Following that disappointment, Vosloorus, as a football-loving community, will have Blue Lions FC coached by Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba, former Bafana Bafana and u-23 teams coach, utilising the abandoned facility.
The Lions are known as plying their trade in the ABC Matsepe League.
Katlego Nong, the team manager, has pleaded with the community of Vosloorus to come in their numbers to support them.
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He said he appreciates the support the community has shown so far.
“In our first game played here, we had more than 200 spectators and the support has been growing ever since. We would like to have more supporters coming to the stadium to watch the game,” he said.
Since the team has started using the stadium, they have played two games.
According to Mashaba, there are three reasons why he recommended Vosloorus Stadium to the team chairperson.
Firstly, he said the stadium has a lot of memories for him since it was used as a home ground for the South African u-23 national team in the late ’90s.
“Because of the positive support we received from the Vosloorus community while I was still the coach of the u-23 squad, the team qualified for the Olympic Games held in Sydney, Australia, in 2000. During the Olympics, the team did well and ended up beating Brazil 3-1.
“I was a coach of the u-23 team then, this stadium used to be so full of supporters who love football,” said Mashaba, adding that he is aware of the problems the stadium has regarding a grading certificate, but those problems will be attended to as time goes on.
Secondly, Mashaba added that he likes the fact that the stadium is in the centre of the township.
“It is a walkable distance for the fans to reach and watch the games. They do not have to pay for taxis to get here. I noticed this while I was still a coach of the u-23 team.”
Thirdly, Bra Shakes, as he has affectionately known in the football community, said most of the players in the team are from Vosloorus.
“If they play here they play in front of their people who know them better than anyone else.”
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In their first season in the ABC Matsepe League, the Blue Lions showed a good run of form, winning three games, drawing three and losing two. They are sitting at the sixth position on the log with 12 points.
The Lions played against Mamelodi All-Stars in Pretoria on November 9 and lost 1-0.
After that game, the Lions will lock horns with Leruma United at the Vosloorus Stadium at 3pm on November 16.
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