By Nkhensani Mthombeni
Her team did not make it to the finals of the Grannies International Football Tournament (Gift), but the most talked about player was Pinky āUncleā Mhlongo.
Gogo Pinky, 61, from Kwamashu Section C in KwaZulu-Natal, impressed football fans with her dribbling skills.
Her nickname of uncle comes from fans who said she played football like a man. In every game which her side the KwaZulu-Natal Gogos played, she outshone everyone with her football skills and speed.
Her team played at the Gift four-day event which took place at Nkowankowa Stadium outside Tzaneen. The event saw women from the age of 50 and above from different countries competing.
It didn’t take long for Uncle Gogo to trend on social media, especially on TikTok with videos taken during the tournament.
People were shocked at the way she moved around the stadium and they started asking her for photos and selfies. During the tourney, she scored five goals.
She told Scrolla.Africa that she started playing soccer at the age of six with boys on the streets.
At the age of 13, she played for the Durban City Ladies team; she was the only black girl in the team.
Since then she has played for a number of teams which include Fast Eagles FC, Kwamashu Sisters FC and the Amazulu Ladies team.
Gogo Pinky also has a referee certificate and sometimes officiates at games.
She trains twice a day, Monday to Friday. She says she looks up to her neighbour and former Bafana Bafana striker, Siyabonga Nomvete.
āMy dream is to play overseas,ā she said.
Pictured above: Gogo Pinky āuncleā Mhlongo
Image source: Nkhensani Mthombeni
