TZANEEN: Soccer playing grannies on the rise.

About nine teams from different parts of the country headed to the Nkowankowa Stadium on Friday for a friendly Grannies Soccer Tournament.

The Vakhegula Vakhegula team was established by philanthropist, Beka Ntsanwisi 11 year ago, where she encouraged local grannies to play soccer and now a decade later more than 10 teams are born.

Hoedspruit Soccer Grannies, a predominatly white team is quickly making its mark in the sport, hence it was no surprise when they smashed Ivory Park Grannies Football Club 2-0.

“We enjoyed ourselves, soccer is a diverse sport and it is brings people together.

“We are inviting all the grannies in Hoedspruit to join us, explained Christine du Preez, Captain of Hoedspruit Grannies Soccer Team.

Also read: Tzaneen granny says football is her life

Many dignitaries honoured the occasion including the Mayor of the Greater Tzaneen Municipality, Maripe Mangena; Banyana Banyana all rounder, Noko Matlou and Lebogang Ramalepe, Banyana Banyana Defender; Beatrice Tshabalala from The Nkuna Traditional Authority and Peter Netshivhulana from the Provincial Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.

Over the past years the grannies have travelled to the United States of America, Brazil and most recently Russia. Next year, some of the grannies will be going to France for the Women’s Soccer World Cup.

“The event was a success and the support was overwhelming. However it seems that the grannies are more famous outside the country than here at home.However we would like to appeal to the community of South Africa as a whole to assist us financially as we are preparing for the France trip,” said Nkhesani Ntsanwisi, Vakhegula Vakhegula Director.

Results for the other games were as follows; Seshego 4-1 Hitekani, Nkowankowa Vakhegula Vakhegula won 4-0 over Tiololweni from Giyani and Ivory Park won 2-0 against Lusgerthdodo.

A French documentary team also came to film the senior citizens being in their element.