Everson Luhanga
In one section of Alexandra township, residents get to see every part of a game of football every single day while they go about their lives.
They see a referee, a striker, boots and extra time. They even watch a hattrick every day of the year!
So how do they manage this, our football fan readers will anxiously ask? All these are street names of Alexandra’s extension 7 named after the football action.
Firstly, there is Stadium, the Ball, the Referee, and the Linesman. Then it’s Game on.
The referee blows the whistle to get the ball rolling. As the game gets underway, Dribbling and Kicking always manage to get the crowd going. Classy passes are being fed to the deadly Striker.
A foul is committed in the 18-yard box and the referee points at a spot-kick. It’s Penalty Street.
And the penalty taker doesn’t make a mistake and converts it. It’s Goal Avenue!
As it is done in the local Diski flavour when a player scores a goal, the commentators shout “Laduma!”.
After a few minutes of play, the ref blows the whistle commanding the game to take a break. And it’s Half Time street.
The game gets underway just around the Corner Street on Second Half Road. Strikers want to shine by scoring goals. But Defenders get their job done by snuffing out attackers’ chances.
But then, a dangerous tackle gives the referee no choice but to go down Yellow Card Street.
Another foul is committed inside the 18-yard box. Is it a penalty? “No!” says the ref, as he walks down Play On Road.
After 90 minutes of pure football, the ref blows his whistle. It’s Full-Time Avenue.
Of course, locals don’t live the thrill of the game every day, but the unique street names are the pride of Extension 7.
Resident Martha Lakaje who lives on Score Street isn’t a football fan and she says she doesn’t know some terminologies of the soccer game. However, moving around these streets every day will always make her feel like she’s living in one big kasi stadium.
