By Nkhensani Mthombeni
South Africa’s world-renowned football grannies, Vakhegula Vakhegula FC from Limpopo, officially launched another oldies team in Mauritius at the weekend.
They arrived on the Indian Ocean island on Wednesday in high spirits, ready to showcase their skills.
The team was led by Beka Ntsanwisi, the founder of Vakhegula Vakhegula, who was accompanied by Limpopo Sports Federation president Ally Pole and Ria Ledwaba, the head of women in sports at the federation.
The gogos, most of whom were travelling on a plane for the first time, were treated like royalty at OR Tambo Airport and presented with a cake baked by SAA.
On arrival in Mauritius, they were welcomed by Vice-President Eddy Boissézon and the South African High Commissioner to the country, Nelly Manzini.
The gogos played against the newly-formed team of Mauritian grannies and beat them 2-0.
The visit promoted active living by the elderly and publicised the upcoming international grannies football tournament, which will take place at Nkowankowa Stadium, near Tzaneen in Limpopo next year.
The Mauritius team, the US, France, and Zambia are among the teams that will play in 2025.
History was made last year when the tournament debuted in Nkowankowa, and the US won the competition.
American player Jeany Duffy wrote a book titled The Soccer Grannies, inspired by the local gogos, and published it in the US last year.
Pictured above: The Diski Gogos.
Image source: Supplied
