38 jubilation when NCT scored the first goal was as great as if Bafana Bafana had scored against Man United. As the day progressed and matches were played the enthusiasm of the spectators grew and the players gave of their best. The intensity with which the teams played was inspiring to see and the thundering of booted feet chasing down the ball was felt right through the souls of our feet. The PA mike was commandeered by Mxolisi Madonda and he was a super star, he held the mike for four hours dancing and chirping the players while making continuous comical jokes and keeping the spectators fully engaged in the matches. Finally the matches were complete and prizes were awarded. As this was a friendly match with the aim of fostering better relationships between the communities and NCT, each team was given a new full soccer kit and ball. Wiveton farm (Ocean swallows) were the victors followed by NCT then Mzinolovu community (Taliban) and Ngcobo community (Ntibane). Man-of-the-match was Mxolisi Funeka and top goal scorer was Mzamo Shabalala both from Ocean Swallows. Our two referees for the day were from Ndaleni and were brought in to officiate so as to keep impartiality in decisions and results, and they performed exceptionally well. A big thank you to Henneck Jili and Siyabonga Mkhize. For me as the NCT representative the best part of the day was giving out lucky-draw prizes to the community children who cheered all day for their teams. Eric Mdluli asked questions related to the speeches given earlier and it was encouraging to see how many children responded with correct answers and received a lucky-draw prize for their correct answer. The pride and excitement on these children’s faces was humbling. I felt it was more important to include non-players and especially the children in receiving a reward for being out there supporting and for paying attention to what was communicated by NCT managers and by Mr Mtolo of Funokwakhe Contracting. A big thank you to the communities for supporting the NCT soccer day and for working towards being good neighbours. Next year we hope to include women on the netball court. Mxolisi Madonda comentating on the match Eric Mdluli and Lance Bartlett hand out prizes The NCT soccer team The first lucky-draw prize winner
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