The South African Elderly Women’s Football team Vakhegula Vakhegula are plotting to avenge their grandkids against European opposition when they play France in a friendly match on Wednesday in St Etienne. The 40-minute encounter is scheduled to kick-off at noon.
Vakhegula watched Banyana Banyana go down 4-0 to Germany in their last world cup group encounter in Montpelier on Monday night.
Subsequently, Banyana are out of the World Cup without winning a single match. Vakhegula captain Kokwani Millicent Thuketani concedes Banyana were up against strong opposition.
“Last night I was mad. I was not okay because our children and Germany are miles apart in quality and physic but I was happy with Van Wyk’s contribution to the game. However, football is football. There’s always a winner and a loser. For what Germany and China did to us, Wednesday we are giving France 10-0.”
Seventy three-year-old Koko Mitah Mathebula echoes the sentiments of her captain.
“I was so upset I could not sleep but I remembered we Vakhegula have a match with their Grannies and we are going to win 10-0. We are satisfied everything is going well. Even our coaches are good. We are having a good time with our children.”
Vakhegula goalkeeper makhulu vho Maria Munyai says they have had a good time in France and they have been well looked after. The 73-year-old Munyai is also urging Banyana not to despair and says they want to comfort them with a victory on Wednesday.
“I’m still crying about last night’s loss but girls don’t despair it will be okay one day. I want us to score whether five or 10 that’s what we are determined to do that. We did not leave Venda to come play here in France. We want to leave with a cup.”
Granny Sabrina Ruiters from the Western Cape also sent love to Desiree Ellis and the girls. The 70-year-old Ruiters adds that victory for the South African Grannies is not far fetched as they are a good team.
One of the grannies caregivers on the trip Linky Mathebula says the team were touched when some of the Banyana players like veteran Noko Matlou and Lebo Ramalepe came over to them crying following their crushing defeat. Mathebula also emphasises that the Vhakhegula have been shown love in France.
“Our hearts were broken when Banyana lost last night. Noko Matlou and Lebogang Ramalepe cried when they saw us last night after the game and that touched us. Which is why we are determined to win tomorrow against France for what happened to our grandkids.”
Report by Lethabo Kganyago
