Vakhegula raring to go ahead of historic International tournament -

The Vakhegula-Vakhegula team will be welcoming nations from all over the world ahead of the historic Grannies International Football Tournament [GIFT].

The tournament will take place at the Nkowa-Nkowa Township under the Greater Tzaneen Municipality in Limpopo from 26-29 March 2023.

The tournament is a first of its kind for women over the age of 50. So far 20 teams, 13 of which are Internationals and seven South African teams.

Vakhegula-Vakhegula players training ahead of historic Grannies International Football Tournament.

Historic Grannies International Football Tournament in Limpopo

Some of the nations who will be making their way to Limpopo include France, Denmark, America, Togo, Mali, Senegal, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Malawi. The tournament is organised by Beka Ntsanwisi Foundation.

“We are ready, we have been playing since 2007, we have been to America, Brazil, Russia, and France. We are waiting for them and they know that we will beat them this Vakhegula-Vakhegula,” said the founder of Vakhegula Beka Ntsanwisi.

Founder of Vakhegula Beka Ntsanwisi on the phone — Founder of Vakhegula Beka Ntsanwisi

“I still have plans to make sure that we have the world cup, I am proud to announce that even the minister of Sport in Zambia is coming to Nkowa-Nkowa to watch grannies playing soccer.

“I am confident that the cup will stay in Nkowankowa. We have players from different towns and villages such as Polokwane, Sekhukhune and Vhembe district,” she told the media.

Vakhegula-Vakhegula raring to go ahead of

Limpopo Chronicle took some time to witness the grannies training at the Nkowa-Nkowa stadium in Tzaneen.

Vakhegula-Vakhegula confident of victory

Mamaila ‘Ronaldo’ Modjadji (80) has described herself as a dribbling wizard and is confident that the trophy will remain in Limpopo.

“I am a dribbling wizard and goal scorer, any ball that I grab, I make sure that it’s a goal,” she told Limpopo Chronicle.

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“We came from far away with granny’s football. We thank Mama Beka Ntsanwisi who took the effort and took us from our homes and made us play football.

The Vakhegula team at training preparing for the Grannies International Football Tournament

“Today the whole world recognises us as Vakhegula-Vakhegula because of her. I am confident that the cup will remain in Limpopo because we are ready to beat all the countries that will be participating.”

Matches on the day will last for 40 minutes, 20 minutes in either half. Winners will pocket R50 000 with the runner-up receiving R20 000.

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