SHARPEVILLE.- The effort for the SAFA Sedibeng Hollywood Regional League teams to cancel their weekend fixtures was unsuccessful.
The teams apparently asked the league to postpone today’s (Saturday) games due to the funeral of the former Kaizer Chiefs and Vaal Professionals legend Simon Lehoko. The teams, especially the Sharpeville based ones, felt that there is no way they play on the same day of Lehoko’ s funeral.
Lehoko’s funeral will take place at George Thabe Stadium, in Sharpeville, today.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster Sport, the teams’ representatives said they were under the impression that their games would be moved to Sunday so that they can attend the funeral. Instead, the league has moved the games that were supposed to play at George Thabe Stadium to Isak Steyl Stadium in Vanderbijlpark on the same day of the funeral.
The teams feel this is being disrespectful to Lehoko who served football with distinction both as a player and coach.
“We are very disappointed because we were under the impression that our games would be moved to play on Sunday but no, to our surprise (only the venue has changed). I don’t know if these people know who Ntate Lehoko was. The man contributed a lot to South African football including the development of football in Vaal. We didn’t say we want the games to be cancelled, but (we wanted them) moved to Sunday to give us the opportunity to pay our respect to Bra Bull. Some of us know his contribution in football. It could have been great if all Saturday games were moved to Sunday”, said a disappointed club official who didn’t want his name to be mentioned.
