Alex ref and coach serve the best in Fifa
ALEXANDRA – The township is proud to have produced top match officials and coaches that will grace the Fifa World Cup.
The Alexandra Northrand Local Football Association has prided itself for having continued its tradition of producing top class football administrators, some of whom have just been called upon to serve the forthcoming Fifa 2018 World Cup in Russia and the Fifa U17 Women’s Football World Cup in Uruguay later in the year.
Top Alex referee Zakhele Thusi Siwela has been selected as one of the match officials from Africa, and South Africa in particular, to officiate at the forthcoming World Cup in Russia.
This is not the first time that Siwela has been called upon to officiate in big Fifa and Confederation of African Football (Caf) tournaments, and the Alex Northrand LFA believes this a feather, not just in the cap of Siwela, but that of the association as well which discovered and shaped him to be what he is today.
Another product of the Alex Northrand LFA, up-and-coming coach Simphiwe Dludlu, of Bantwana fame has qualified her prodigies – the U17 national women’s football team – to participate in the Fifa U17 Women’s Football World Cup in Uruguay.
In their last qualifying round game, Bantwana, as the squad is popularly known in football circles, walloped their Moroccan counterparts 5–1 in Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto in early February and the return leg in north Africa last weekend ended 1–0 in favour of the visitors, who then booked their tickets for Uruguay in November.
Secretary general of the Alex Northrand LFA Mafika Morajane said the LFA was proud to have continued its legacy of producing top football administrators. “We’re thrilled with the news, both for Siwela and Dludlu, and wish them all the best and call on them to represent the township [Alexandra] and South Africa to their utmost ability and make us proud Alexandrians.”
Shorty, as Dludlu is best known, started her football career at the now defunct Alex Ladies but also worked closely with Morajane during his days as coach of Alex Parma before his formed his now-defunct club, TDS FC.
“This is great news for me personally too as this tells you that Alex can develop everyone in all spheres of the footballing circle. We know of great football administrators, footballers, match officials and now coaches. Watch the space for more is still yet to come,” said a delighted Morajane.
Some of the top administrators to come out of Alex include the late Dr Leepile Taunyane of National Soccer League, the holding body of the Premier Soccer League; and Dr Irvin ‘Iron Duke’ Khoza, chairperson of the Premier Soccer League and Orlando Pirates FC.
Great footballers included the late Shakes Kungwane, Maimane Alfred Phiri, Lovers Mohlala, Benson Mhlongo, Brian ‘Spiderman’ Baloyi and Lucky Maselesele, just to name but a few.
Send your goodwill messages to ref Zakhele Siwela and coach Simphiwe Dludlu for their outstanding achievements. Like the Alex News Facebook page to post your comments
