“I Switched To Sekhukhune United during COVID-19 Season.”
Under the African All-Stars name, Sekhukhune United Football Club also known as “Babina Noko” was established in 2019 and participated in the ABC Motsepe League. After the league season ended, Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila Football Club (TTM) offered the chance to win a Glad Africa Championship Status. The Premier Soccer League (PSL) verified the sale in September 2020, which opened the door for the founding of Sekhukhune United Football Club.
Since then, Babina Noko has amassed a sizable fan base, some of whom continue to reside in Thembisa because they had attended Makhulong Stadium for their home games. Ngcobo2010 Sharp Eye spoke with Maphuthi Moremi, a well-known follower of theirs who goes by “Mayweather” among his fellow soccer fans.
Mayweather is a native of Polokwane, from a community called Senwabarwana, which was originally known as Bochum. He was a former supporter of the Highlands Park and Orlando Pirates. In 2003, after matriculating, he moved Thembisa to stay with his parents.
“Since Sekhukhune United was not yet there when I grew up and my parents were supporting the National Professional Soccer League(NPSL) big three; I chose to support Orlando Pirates when I was still young” remarked Moremi. “In the beginning of 2015-2016 season I started supporting Highlands Park FC as it was a team from Thembisa.”
The majority of Highlands Park fans, including Mayweather, were devastated to learn that the team had sold its Premier Soccer League (PSL) status in September 2020 to TS Galaxy FC, who would replace them in the 2020–2021 PSL season. Because Highlands Park was situated in Thembisa and Babina Noko was his home team from the Limpopo Province, he was obligated to support them.
“What drew me to Sekhukhune United during COVID-19 was that the team played all of its home games at Makhulong Stadium in Thembisa and that there were former Highlands Park players who moved to Babina Noko,” Mayweather said, mentioning Sello Motsepe, Seun Ledwaba, and Tapiwa Kapini, the former goalkeeper for Highlands Park.
Mayweather is content with Sekhukhune United because his club advanced to the 2023 Nedbank Cup final, where they were defeated by the Orlando Pirates at Loftus Versveld, and earned a spot in the 2023–2024 CAF Confederation Championship. Additionally, he was thrilled when Babina Noko placed fourth in the DSTV Premiership for 2023–2024, allowing them to reappear in the CAF Championship for 2024.
“It is the achievements our team had that makes us to support our team with passion and we promise our management that we will continue to support them through thick and thin.” remarked Maphuthi. “Since our team is just three years old, I would like to urge the fans to stay committed to it. To support our team, they have to show up in large numbers at the stadiums. I’m glad that some University of Limpopo students from other regions are rooting for my team.”
“I want to express my gratitude to our management for having this team, especially to Mr. Simon Malatjie, our chairman, and Mr. Jonas Malatjie, our CEO. Purchasing this team was not a mistake on their part. We pledge to back it both at home and away,” Mayweather remarked. “I hope we can acquire more sponsors, and they need to be patient with the team. I’d also like to wish Coach Lehlohonolo Seema and our technical team the best of luck as they begin the new season.”
“Lastly, since the transfer window is coming to an end I wish my team can sign Zakhele Lepasa and Goodman Mosele both from Orlando Pirates as they are not getting game time there,” ends Mayweather