Indeed, times have changed. Some for the good and some for the bad. Today’s youngsters have the benefit of living in a highly technological era complete with hi-tech gadgets and excellent infrastructure in terms of educational facilities, a variety of careers to choose from and much more.
However, this also works against the progress of certain spheres of society. Just last week Mpumalanga Black Aces were playing against Telkom Charity Cup winners, Platinum Stars at Mbombela Stadium.
Only 150 tickets were sold, and the stadium was literally empty. Yes, the team do need to go out and mobilise support. They need strong marketing and public relations campaigns, but pending this, the mindset of our community needs to change.
We need to start guarding our liberation as I feel we misinterpret it by focusing too much on activities that gain us money, neglecting the simple, yet fulfilling ones. Football is a career to some and watching it is an activity of leisure and learning to others, so it needs to be supported, irrespective of who are playing.
I am not trying to be a soccer analyst or something, but I feel that AmaZayoni need to understand that consistency is important.
They need to do their best to stay in the PSL because as they gain supporters they will lose them if they do not live up to their fans’ expectations.
Prior to 2006, I used to be a Pirates fan until I went to live in Pretoria. I would go to Loftus to watch any soccer game and would find the stadium blue and yellow and feel left out. Ultimately I became a Sandawana. We can still create that atmosphere at Mbombela Stadium, but MP Black Aces must promise us that we will not find ourselves without a team in the future – not that I will leave Sundowns, but at least I can vouch to support all games at Mbombela.
On top of that I will support AmaZayoni in every game they play except for when they play Sundowns, that’s only fair, right?
Mbombela Stadium is ours and we need to embrace that and show our support. Stats SA reports indicate that at least 70 per cent of the population of Mpumalanga is youth. In such an instance, one would expect high levels of vibrancy and night life, but it is not happening.
Good things do not last in our midst because we do not support, but I know that we have a pioneering spirit that can change things.
On that note, well done to Ama Tuks, who beat Pirates 1-0 this weekend in Mbombela. We hope to see more games.
