Supersport United FC changes focus

Ernest Mabasa

When the going got tough in the 2004/5 season, the tough got going. This was the spirit  shown by Supersport United FC at the Lucas Moripe Stadium when the Atteridgeville Friday Schools League was launched.

Things have changed in the school league and management is here to manage this it successfully. Matsatsantsa manager Coltrane Munyai is at the fore front to identifying future stars of the premier soccer league and Bafana Bafana squad: "This is not for the first time we do it. We tried in 2004/5 season but faced technical problems. Now we believe and hope that it is going to be a very successful league and other teams should do so as well."

 With two games played at the newly formed schools league, now it is deemed to be in line with sport and recreation minister's call, Fikile Mbalula,  to revive school sport. "The club has taken heed of the sport minister's call to support high school sport events and we have taken that lead in the (PSL)," said Munyai.

The long term plan of the initiative for Matsatsantsa is to revive school sport and give back to the community.

Munyai says the league will show appreciation to the community of Phelindaba that has been behind Matsatsantsa a Pitori from day one. "This is home of Supersport United."

This league will give opportunities to young players to be scouted by Supersport and some could have the chance of being selected  by the club's academy. "Head and academy coaches will be going to the stadium to assess players' performance and advice them. You may see them playing at the professional level one day.  We are building a brand for the Atteridgeville community," he said.

 Friday schools league that consists of twenty four teams will have eight teams for soccer, eight for netball and eight teams for rugby; these games will be played at Mbolekwa Sports Complex. "This football, netball and rugby coded league will run for sixteen weeks until twelve September. At the end of the league the first four teams will then play knock outs for prizes," Munyai said.

 Program co-ordinator Itu Moloto was very happy that finally the league had been reintroduced and now all the challenges have gone, saying Superport has helped them very much. "This has been our passion and was faced with so many challenges. Supersport company has helped us a lot," he said.

Football legend Lucas "Masterpieces" Moripe said what Supersport is doing for Atteridgeville community is very good and special and is encouraged; "They are helping them (players). They must be kept busy so that they can stay away from drugs. PSL teams will benefit from these young players," he said.