Pretoria Fires First Shot in the Battle of Gauteng

March 20, 2004

By Steven Harrison

Although rivals today, both teams will combine to make the Gauteng representative A and B teams in Footy South Africa’s inaugural Inter Provincial Championship later this month.

When Eldorado Park’s mini van finally arrived at the Pretoria Technikon, home ground of the Trojans, they were met by a well organized group in the middle of a full scale practice session. It was quite an intimidating sight for the half dozen first time players from Eldorado Park, coach Mtutuzeli Hlomela later revealed.

But the value of a Rugby background became evident as Eldorado Park’s new Aussie Rules players were able to match the Trojans physically, and were laying some heavy tackles all over the field. The crowd may be forgiven for thinking the Trojans had exhausted themselves in the warm up, as Eldorado Park started strutting their stuff right from the first bounce, and racing to a handy twenty point lead by the first break.

But the Trojans overcame their early hiccups, and started combining well after the break, with some good passages of play resulting in several goals from their midfield players. However, once former South African representative player, Martin Moeng, playing for Eldorado Park, got his left foot working and kicked two long goals, Eldorado Park looked like they would hang on.

The Trojans trailed by three points at three quarter time. Coach Neo Nage, determined to see his hours on the training track pay off, threw every coaching cliché he could muster at his troops, complete with South African accent.

It worked. Pretoria took control of the game in the last quarter, kicking five goals to two and running out winners 14.14. (98) to Eldorado Park 11.17 (83).

Boitumelo Mokgwetsi Tribute Match

March 15 2004

By Steven Harrison

Tribute matches to mark the passing of one of Footy South Africa’s umpires were played yesterday between the Christiana Football Club and the Vryburg Football Club at Huhudi Stadium, Vryburg.

The games were played in memory of Ms Boitumelo Mokgwetsi who passed away on Monday February 9 2004. Boitumelo was knocked down by a car in her home town of Vryburg, at age 16. The players and members of the Vryburg Football Club were shocked by her death. She was buried on February 14 with a Footy and a Vryburg Football jumper.

Her Mother and Father, her Grandmother and her two younger sisters were present at yesterday’s games, and were presented with gifts by SCORE coach July Machette, on behalf of the Vryburg Football Club. A moments silence then followed.

A best of three series was played between the Christiana and Vryburg senior teams, with Christiana winning the series with victories in games two and three. The scores were:

Game 1: Vryburg (5.4. 34) def Christiana (3.3. 21)

Game 2: Christiana (6.3. 39) def Vryburg (2.2. 14)

Game 3: Christiana (8.6. 54) def Vryburg (6.7. 43)

The super-fast twins Neo and Dineo Sambo from the Vryburg Football Club took out the half time sprint. Two under 12 teams from both clubs played a curtain raiser to the senior games.

The North West Province look like they will field a strong team for next months Inter-Provincial Championships, with these games also acting as selection trials for that event. In the land where headers and bicycle kicks are never far from the action, several promising players were discovered. Further trials will take place for the North West squad in Itsoseng on Saturday March 20, and on the same day for the Gauteng Province squad in Pretoria.

Provincial Coaches Announced

March 1, 2004
By Steven Harrison

The senior coaches for South Africa’s inaugural Inter Provincial Championships have been named. Congratulations to Reggie Mokotedi, of North West Province and Mtutuzeli Hlomela of Gauteng Province on their appointments. Mokotedi, who coached the South African national team at the International Cup 2002, will go head to head with Hlomela, who was South Africa’s best player at the same tournament. Both coaches have started preparations for the April 24 clash, which will showcase South Africa’s best talent, and will be held at the International School of South Africa, Mafikeng.