Makhanda

SPORT

Soccer connects a community

Article by
Taylor Pastrick & Jamie Jenson

Photos by
Dominique Hildebrande

South Africans live and breathe soccer, a sport known everywhere other than the United States as football. Colonists introduced the sport there during the 19th Century, and just like every other aspect of life in South Africa, it, too, was segregated until apartheid ended. Then, in 1991, the South African Football Association was founded.

In its last “Big Count,” the international soccer federation known as FIFA reported that 1.5 million South Africans play soccer. That’s virtually the same number in what is considered the core group of 13- to 17-year-olds playing tackle football in the U.S., according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association.

In 2010, South Africa hosted the FIFA World Cup in Johannesburg.

“Play strong, and even if you lose, keep on winning,”

Soccer plays an important role in the lives of the people of Makhanda, both in the municipality and the township, and many children learn to play the sport before they even enroll in school. On New Year’s Eve, Makhanda hosted the New Year’s Cup final, held at JD Dlepu Stadium in the township. The round-robin tournament sponsored by the Spanish league LaLiga started with 32 teams from all nine of the country’s provinces and ended with a knockout stage.

The inside of Siyanda Mphelo's home in Extension 6 in Makhanda, South Africa.

The ground seemed to quake with the fans’ excitement as they cheered on the crowd favorite, Makana Rhini United, known affectionately as MARU, the local team from Makhanda. MARU, the defending champions, had battled their way back to the finals, and their fans were eager to see them clinch the title once again. With their fans singing and chanting and cheering, MARU defeated the Young Chiefs from Alice by a score of 3-2.

Ignoring the warnings of the officials, fans of all ages rushed the field to congratulate the winners as they accepted their pirze: 100,000 South African rand (about $8,500). Ten-year-old Lunga Pikoli, who plays both soccer and rugby, looked forward to his favorite team winning the championship, and he even shared some advice for the team. “Play strong, and even if you lose, keep on winning,” he said.

The inside of Siyanda Mphelo's home in Extension 6 in Makhanda, South Africa.

Pikoli said he loves all of the players equally and has no favorite. He wants to play soccer when he’s older because he said it will make him fit and give him the opportunity to travel the world.

What we try to do, we try to bring the Makhanda people together. You see that’s the whole point. MARU’s trying to bring the Makhanda people together.”

Thandisizwe Matebese is the ultimate fan of MARU; in fact, he’s one of the founding members of the soccer club. His cheers could be heard above the din of the crowd throughout the game, and he grew emotional as he spoke. “We won the last season,” he said. “I think again we’re going to take the money. But it’s not all about the money. It’s the spirit. What we try to do, we try to bring the Makhanda people together. You see that’s the whole point. MARU’s trying to bring the Makhanda people together.”

The inside of Siyanda Mphelo's home in Extension 6 in Makhanda, South Africa.

MARU’s coach, Bongani Lombo, received “best coach” accolades for the tournament. Lombo and his team have won the tournament two of the three years Lombo has served as coach, and even with a winning record, victory never gets old. “The feeling is very overwhelming,” he said after the game. “It was a very tough game. We knew it was not going to be an easy game, but eventually we won.”

Ayabulela Bholoti, team captain for MARU, echoed his coach’s sentiments. “It means a lot because it puts Makhanda up in the ranks,” he said. “Everyone is proud of what is happening and what has been done by MARU.”

The inside of Siyanda Mphelo's home in Extension 6 in Makhanda, South Africa.

As the crowd began to clear out, the entourage found one more way to celebrate: When Lombo and Bholoti least expected it, their fans crept up behind them and sprayed them down with champagne,.

And then the cheering started all over again.