By Avela Gontsana

Local football players are advised to play an organized football as football can no longer be considered as a hobby but a career or a job as it changes situations and put food on the table in some households. Mr Mawethu Goerge Gusha (40) chairman of Bizana local football association and a regional member of Alfred Nzo district in South African Football Association (SAFA) says, it is important for the local players to register with SAFA in order for them to grow and reach the professional level in football either as a referee or a player. George says, a register player within SAFA is automatically insured as long as the membership card is active should anything happen to them, they covered by SAFA. For an example, a “there was a case in 2020 where players were hit by lightning during the game and two players died, when they contacted SAFA national; Denny Jordan contacted us to assist but we unfortunately could not help in that situation as those players were not members of SAFA and had they been members we could’ve helped as SAFA in Bizana” – says George.

Mr Gusha says that registered SAFA members are allowed to participate in these other tournaments, they only need to report when they are going to do so. SAFA also have two tournaments per year in exception of the leagues.

George also mentioned that, “it is their role as SAFA in Bizana to encourage and coordinate the games of football in Bizana and promote the clubs from grassroots level to a professional level within Mbizana jurisdiction as laid down within the statute of SAFA that they must work within the Municipality.” He also says “Bizana has grown and improved a lot in football, as we all know that Pondo Chiefs was promoted to where it is now; we still have about nine (9) clubs here in Bizana that are playing at a regional league, two (2) clubs are in provincial (ABC Motsepe) league. That is Spears of the Nation Football Club as well as Sinenkani Football Club. Mzamba Ladies football Club just recently got promoted to SASSOL league where Banyana-Banyana players are selected). The football loving and hard-working Mr Gusha is also an adviser of Bizana Pondo Chiefs which he confirmed that it is Sponsored by the Mbizana municipality with other stakeholders helping the team.

Despite all these achievements, there is still no hope of a suitable ground that will meet the standard of a professional level football as the one that is being developed will be maintained for development purposes. “An artificial turf grass that is used automatically disqualifies the Provincial and a National level leagues” – says George.

SAFA executive in Bizana is now working in developing under 13, 15 and under 17 football clubs to rectify the mistake of neglecting the need of a proper development in football. George comments that this negligence is also the reason why Bafana-Bafana have never been able to win AFCON after 1996.