The former chairman of Limpopo PSL club and founder of the defunct NSL club, Rabali Blackpool FC, Peter Rabali will be buried on Sunday at Ha-Rabali village in Nzhelele, outside Louis Trichardt, in Limpopo.
Rabali died on Thursday after a short illness.
Peter Rabali, former Rabali Blackpool Owner, who was banned from football for live by PSL for trying to bribe the opponent to lose the game a while ago, has passed on after a short illness. May his soul rest in peace pic.twitter.com/yVP8HqdcTX
— Pastor Daniel (@Revrend_TD) July 9, 2020
The 73-year-old Rabali was a well-known businessman who also has interests in the transport industry. He then ventured into football and bought the D’Alberton Callies franchise in 1994.
He relocated the club to Thohoyandou and renamed it Rabali Blackpool FC during the National Soccer League era.
The now defunct Rabali Blackpool, which was famously called “Matari Aya Fhambana” translated as “leaves are different”, was relegated to the lower division in 1995.
Four years later, Rabali was part of group of businessmen in the Vhembe District Municipality that managed Dynamos FC, which was promoted to the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
Rabali’s stint in football was, however, brief. He was later banned from football for life due to alleged corruption related to match fixing.
May the soul of Mr Peter Rabali RIP. The 1st man to bring the pro game to Venda with Rabali Blackpool “Matari aya fhambana” in 95. The team gave a break to the likes of Cyril Nzama, Rabutla and Mukansi. He went on to own Dynamos that gave Manyathela and Mendu exposure. pic.twitter.com/UZDs4V1G2f
— Diski Magic (@DiskiMagic) July 9, 2020
Mulimisi Muneri worked closely with Rabali as the team manager of Dynamos FC. He says Rabali made an enormous contribution to football.
“He was one man who was down to earth he could interact with almost everybody his lost honestly it is our loss he was part of the group that has interest in football his contribution will be always be seen above the rest because he always had this business plan that he came with it became very very easy to promote Dynamos his contribution will always remembered.”
Nathaniel Phasha and Magic Ratshivhadelo played for both Rabali Blackpool and Dynamos FC. They say the late Rabali played a father figure role to players during his short stint in football.
Rabali founded the new African Apostolic United Church, which has branches in five provinces with more than 300 000 members.
Family spokesperson Takalani Rabali says COVID-19 funeral regulations will be followed on Sunday.
“The old man was having problem with his health and the government has already give us the rules concerning COVID-19 burial. We will obey the rules of 50 attendance and we are going to be strict on that. If you are not part of the 50 please understand this Sunday we will have burial services and Saturday we will have a memorial service.”
