All roads lead to the Pumas Rugby Stadium in Witbank, where mining giant Masemanzi Mining Holdings celebrates its 12th anniversary.
The match is expected to attract a large crowd, as both Chiefs and Pirates are among the most popular football clubs in South Africa. The two teams have a long and storied rivalry, and their matches are always highly anticipated.
Former talisman and Bafana Bafana international Doctor Khumalo and Thabo Mooki will coach the Chiefs Legends team. Other notable players in the team include Cyril Nzama, Tsepo Masilela, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Brian Baloyi and Siyabonga Nomvethe.
Mmbie Munasi, Masemanzi’s managing director, said the main aim of this game is to celebrate the company’s 12th anniversary.
“The company was started 12 years ago; it was not as easy as one would think. But the company has done very well,” Munasi told FARPost.
“It’s a mining company in the coal industry. We want to ensure we give back to the community where we do business – in Emalahleni.
“The best way to do this is – we looked at what would unite the people of Witbank, and the only sport that could do so is football. So we decided to bring Chiefs and Pirates legends.”
Former captain Lucky Lekgwathi will lead the Pirates Legends team. Other notable players in the team include Tlou Segolela, pictured below, Steve Lekoelea, William Okpara and Eugene Zwane.
Zwane said the match was particularly special because they had a score to settle. The former Buccaneers stars lost 1-0 the last time the two teams met in Malamulele.
“It’s always exciting to play a derby,” Zwane told FARPost. “It doesn’t matter whether it’s a Masters or Legends match. The vibe is always nice to experience. This one is particularly exciting because in the last game we played against Chiefs Legends, we lost. We want to avenge. We have a score to settle.”
The match is scheduled to start at 3pm, and tickets are available at the venue. Proceeds from the ticket sales will be donated to charity.
‘I’M AN EMALAHLENI BOY’, For Masilela, it’s a homecoming as his football journey started in Emalahleni. That journey took him to Israel and Spain before returning home to join Chiefs.
“It’s very important because I grew up there. I’m an Emalahleni boy,” Masilela told FARPost. For me to go back home and play in front of my people – there are guys I grew up with and played youth football with – it’s going to be a nice day.”
Masemanzi is a global mining company that produces gold, platinum group metals, and palladium. The company has a long history in South Africa and is one of the province’s largest employers.
Masemanzi is sponsoring the friendly match as part of its commitment to supporting sport and community development in South Africa.
The friendly match is expected to be a great spectacle, as both Chiefs and Pirates Legends teams feature some of the biggest names in South African football history. The game is also a chance for Masemanzi to celebrate its 12th anniversary and to show its support for the communities in which it operates.
