FORMER Orlando Pirates player Patrick Thwala says sports unite people.
Patrick was among the former PSL players, including the likes of ex-Jomo Cosmos midfielder Teboho Mokoena and former Amazulu player Bongani Mbhele, who helped their team Palm Ridge Masters win the Ekurhuleni Masters Super Cup (EMLSC).
Team SA Masters
The former PSL players, Patrick Thwala, Teboho Mokoena, and Bongani Mbhele, helped their team, Palm Ridge Masters, win the Ekurhuleni Masters Super Cup. Photo by Happy Mnguni
They beat Team SA Masters from Daveyton 3-2 in the match played at SA Army Gymnasium Stadium in Heidelberg on Sunday, 25 August.
“Playing in the masters league helps most of us, as former PSL stars, to reunite and socialize. We had our fair share playing in the elite league. However, we are still involved in the game of billions,” said Patrick.
Patrick said that he may have retired from playing in the professional league, but he can still run and showcase his social skills.
“Soccer is in our blood. We may not be able to run like before, but hey, there’s still a lot of steam and energy in my body. I can still give opponents a run for their money,” he said.
Patrick was a dazzling, nippy, and quick left-winger who also had illustrious career playing for Santos and Mamelodi Sundowns.
He said that despite their professional soccer careers ending a few years ago, he and other former PSL players still keep fit and play in the masters league. His team won the Ekurhuleni Super League on Sunday.
The former PSL players
Team SA Masters players received a silver medal and a trophy after finishing as runners-up in the tournament. Photo by Happy Mnguni
The games were played under the banner of the Ekurhuleni Masters League and featured teams such as Inhliziyo FC, SA Army, Mfundo Park, Dawn Park United, Palm Ridge FC, and Team SA.
The league allows players who are over 35 years old to continue playing soccer, including former professional players and those who didn’t make it to the elite league.
The coach of Palm Ridge Masters, Isaac Mapalala, said he’s happy with his team winning the EMLSC.
“In three years, we have collected three cups as masters. We have won the league for two seasons, and now a Super Cup. We have been in the Ekurhuleni Masters League for three years, and we have made a good impact. At our disposal, we have good players, some of whom have played soccer at a professional level, and that makes us a good team,” Isaac said.
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The coach of Team SA, Sello Skabate, said he was happy with his team’s performance despite losing to their opponent. He urged players who are over 35 years old to continue playing soccer and forming master teams in their areas.
“Playing in the masters indicates that a person never gets old, as long as a player is capable of playing even after the age of 35 years. Football will never die unless we decide to kill it because the young ones are looking up to us. So, we need to show them that through sports, everyone can still stay fit and be able to stay healthy,” Sello said.
He said they had good players such as Siyabonga Nomvethe, the late John “Shoes” Moshoeu, and the legendary Cameroon striker Roger Milla, who scored four goals at the 1990 Fifa World Cup aged 38.
“Milla helped Cameroon become the first African team to reach the World Cup quarterfinals. Four years later, at the age of 42, Milla broke his record as the oldest goal scorer in the World Cup by scoring against Russia in the 1994 Fifa World Cup,” said Sello.
Palm Ridge Masters
Palm Ridge Masters players celebrated after winning the Super League at the SA Army Gymnasium Stadium in Heidelberg. Photo by Happy Mnguni
The chairman of the Ekurhuleni Masters League, Bonginkosi Sityebi, said the league is made up of Stream A, which has 13 teams who are the main league, while Stream B is the second division and has 13 teams.
“Palm Ridge Masters and Team SA won their league in Stream A and B, respectively, and they qualified to play in the Super Cup. The runner-up teams of divisions A and B, Mfundo Park Masters and Dawn Park United, competed in the third and fourth positions, which was won by United.”
He said the league has been operating for over a decade, and it has been improving. Sityebi said that the league promotes sociality and strong bonds among veteran players.
“Currently, we are going into the off-season, and the league is going to resume on 13 October. When that happens, we would love to have more veteran teams in the league, so we are encouraging more veteran teams to come and join the club. Only players who are 35 years old and above can play in the league,” said Sityebi.