“Faster, faster… Eish! Come support them,” Romeo Rikhotso’s voice carries across the soccer field.  The coach, who at times despairs a tad but never fails to motivate and encourage his players, loves the ladies on the pitch like his biological grandmother. Romeo, a player himself, a lot more than half the age of the players, coaches Vakhengula Vakhengula, South Africa’s first and most famous Soccer Grannies twice a week. The intrepid grannies are based in Nkowankowa, 15km outside of Tzaneen, in Limpopo.

Coach Romeo discussing strategy with the soccer grannies

 At the time when community worker Beka Ntsanwisi established South Africa’s first geriatric soccer team, most of the grannies (Vakhengula means grannies in Xitsonga), couldn't even walk properly and if they did something in their free time they would be knitting or sewing and sitting all the time.  “Here they run, shout, fight with you... it keeps them young."

 

Goalie in action!

The grannies, a bubbly and charming bunch of not that old and gracefully old ladies, aged between 40 something and early 80s, arrive in long dresses, some donning ZCC badges on their shirts and many with beaded cell phone pouches, carrying water bottles and their soccer gear in plastic bags or small backpacks. All are excited, cheerful and animated. 

Today’s game takes place in the stadium, where youngsters train and circle the field on the running track or run up and down stairs in the gallery. The contrast is extreme and beautiful... Once the teams are divided up, the grannies pull out their shorts, socks, shorts and – most prized possession – their soccer shoes with crampons out of their bags. After a quick warm-up, which consists of jogging across the field twice and leaves some a little short-breathed, all the players take their positions and the beautiful game starts.

Soccer granny with her vuvuzela, soccer boots & kit.
 

The game between the two teams starts slow, until Number 14, Beatrice Tshabalala, who coordinates the teams with Mama Beka, pushes forward and adds momentum to the game.

Number 2 in the white shirt, walks with difficulty, Number 15 is referred to as Maradona.

Number 11 generally struggles to walk but without fail, has her eyes on the ball at all times and always tries moving towards it. A foul from number 9 is followed by an explanation by Romeo in the local language, Shangaan (Xitsonga) and then a free kick. Even swopping players has to be done according to rules and is accompagnied by giggles. Throughout the game, the gogos talk, laugh and move and keep a steady but gentle pace.  One of the players even attempts a head butt!

“Half-time, water break!” Romeo calls after about 20 minutes. And promptly adds “Jog! Jog!”, which is headed by some but mostly met with giggles and a slow stroll by his protégés.

Later in the game, when Number 15 aka Maradona falls and lies flat on the ground, three of the gogos sitting out on the sideline let out a loud “Sorriiiiiiiiiiii”. Maradona slowly gets up, arms reach out to her and dust her off, wipe her face and the game goes on.

The 40 women on the Vakhegula Vakhegula squad range from 40 to over 80 years old. Over the years, Mama Beka has established eight teams across the region. Her work has inspired other communities to set up soccer grannie leagues. On 15 May, Vakhengula Vakhengula will be playing against teams from Orange Farm, which were set up following a programme on the grannies from Limpopo on TV.

 

 Before or after the game - the soccer grannies are high spirited!

Asked how she felt today, Angelina Hlophe responds: “Like a fish in the water!” After training, she pulls a few recent photographs out of her bag. The pictures are of her and her teammates, and some shot four years back, Angelina on crutches. “I suffered from arthritis, heart failure, gout and had to walk with these crutches,” she says, pointing at one of the pictures where she does look younger but less healthy. For many of the soccer grannies, soccer has become more than just a game: it has increased their levels of fitness, provided them with plenty of fun and good health.

The soccer grannies not only love to play but love watching soccer, have adopted the names of great local and international players (no women players…) and pray for Bafana Bafana to do well in the World Cup. They also hope to be able to attend a game at the Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane.

Beka’s biggest dream is to host a Soccer Granny World Cup and to find the necessary funds to head an invitation Vakhengula Vakhengula have received to fly to Boston and play against some old American grannies…

For more information on the game between Vakhengula Vakhengula and Orange Farm, contact Beka on 072 785 7999 

 Soccer grannies watching a Soccer Cinema film on a very small screen ahead of the screening on 11 May 2010 at 2pm.