Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert@mailbox.co.za
Baroka Football Club is the inaugural winner of the Fame Charity Cup following their 3-0 victory over Kaizer Chiefs at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.
The Premier Soccer League (PSL) rookies beat Black Leopards 2-0 in the semi-finals while Chiefs thrashed Magesi Football Club with the same score to advance to the final.
The Amakhosi fielded a strong team boasting the likes of Willard Katsande, Bernard Parker and George Lebese but failed to get a victory.
Bakgakga Head Coach, Kgokolo Thobejane said the victory against Kaizer Chiefs was a sign that they are ready to compete in the PSL. “We showed that we are ready for the big league. We want to win big matches and the trophies on offer in the league. The boys are ready, they are fit and they can’t wait for the first match,” he said.
Thobejane commended goal keeper Oscarine Masuluke whose role throughout the match was instrumental in their victory. Masuluke saved penalties from Kaizer Chiefs Captain Willard Katsande, as well as William Twala and George Maluleka.
He played a pivotal role in the team’s promotion last season and he was also nominated as Nedbank Cup Young Player of the Tournament. The award went to teammate Ndivhuwo Ravhuhali.
“He is a good goalkeeper, he is tall and he is not afraid. He is very cool when it comes to penalties. When we train we give him a tough time with up to 30 players each taking a penalty and he saves most of them. I am not surprised that he managed to save all three penalties,” Thobejane said.
Fame Charity Cup Chairperson, Matodzi Makananisa said Baroka has proven that they are giant killers. “They showed in the National First Division and they proved it again in the cup that they are winners. We wish them good luck in the PSL and that they should stay there.”
Makanananisa also thanked the supporters who came in numbers to support the Cup. “We are humbled by their support. Limpopo has shown us the side that we don’t know and we are excited,” Makananisa said.
Head of Communications of Limpopo Tourism Agency (LTA), Mike Tauatsoala said they are proud to have partnered with the inaugural soccer tournament and the awards. “These are the only provincial entertainment awards in Limpopo. They seek to promote social cohesion and art as well as preserve our heritage through indigenous and cultural education. The awards recognise talented people from Limpopo across all spheres of the arts who continue to make Limpopo proud with their personal outstanding achievements in the entertainment business.”
“We view the awards as one of the key tourism drivers bringing people to our province to attend the awards and Fame Charity Cup, preceded that awards a day before. We have no doubt that tourism and hospitality sector as well as the business community in general in and around Polokwane have directly or indirectly benefited from the soccer tournament and the awards,” Tauatsoala said.
“We will continue to support such initiatives as they contribute to the growth of tourism in the province. We are confident that the awards, which this year were spiced with the soccer challenge a day before, will draw a lot of people to the province if planning and marketing gets done on time,” he concluded.
Story and photos: Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert@mailbox.co.za
Featured photo: Baroka defender, Theresho Mapheto and Black Leopards midfielder Sphelele Ntshangase watch the ball closely.
