Shigalo based grannies’ soccer club King Stapura are a force to reckon with. The Limpopo based grannies’ soccer club participated in two tournaments over the weekend and came out trumps. ON Saturday the team from Shigalo participated in the four team Samuelson Soccer Challenge at Roadhouse and became champs, winning a soccer kit, trophy, certificate and gold medals.Tthe team started like a house on fire, giving Jerome FC a 5-0 shellacking in the first semifinal and went on to beat Roadhouse 1-0 in the finals.. Yestarday it participated in another tournament at Shigalo and beat Hlengani Grannies 1-0 to win the tournament. In doing so, the team received a trophy and gold medals. “We always play to win. We train a lot. First our aim is wellness and we end up being as fit as a fiddle,” says Mthavini Winny Chauke, who is the team manager and captain. Se says the team started in 2022 and has affiliated to the league under the aegis of the Mazdahisi Foundation League. “At the moment we are placed seven in the 32 team league. Our nemesis are always the all conquering Tshino Ladies and we always come secon t them,” she said. The team’s rack midfielder granny Rose Baloyi aka Maxoxo says the team was named after the late chief Hosi James Shigalo aka king Stapura. “The late chief was a hit with the community because of his amazing sense of humour ad as such our team is very popular. In most tournaments, people come from far to see the team named after the late King Stapura and they do not get disappointed as we hold our own against grannies from other areas, ” she said. She says they are always indebted to Beka Ntsanwisi who started soccer for grannies known as Vakhegulu Vakhegulu. “ASs grannies at Shigalo, the sport has become very popular, and it has done the world of good to the health conditions of local grannies,” she said. Calvin Maluleke, a teacher based in Gauteng sponsored today’s tournament. “I always want to motivate the grannies, and I am looking forward to a longstanding relationship with them,” he said.
