Soccer guru Ndoda buried at Kutama

Soccer lovers from around Vhembe are still shocked, following the recent sudden death of well-known soccer guru Ndoda Ungedzani Muvhango (51) of Kutama. Muvhango died after a short illness about a fortnight ago.

During his heydays, he played for teams such as Kutama Young Stars. He also trained the Kutama team in the nineties. He later became involved in the development of young soccer players.

Ndoda worked at the Zoutpansberg Football Association until the soccer association merged, following the municipal demarcation. He was also a referee in the Safa Vodacom league, now known as the ABC Motsepe league. In this capacity he also served as referee selector of the Safa Vhembe MMK Administrator stream E and F.

At the time of his death, he was doing duty as the chairperson of the referees for the Makhado Local Football Association. He was a teacher at the Tshiungulela Secondary school, but resigned in January this year.

A family member, Mr Peter Maliaga, said the family members were in great pain after losing one of their beloved members. “We are greatly saddened by his death, but we will have to accept it, because God’s will has been done. May his soul rest in peace.” He said the family was proud to have produced “one of the most valuable members of the community.”

Maliaga said that Ndoda had played a big role in uplifting the standard of soccer and education in the local community.

The president of Makhado LFA, Mr Joseph Maphaha, described Ndoda as a community builder and educator “who was larger than life. He was always there when we needed him. Now that he is gone, we are afraid that no one will ever fill his shoes because he is irreplaceable.”

The president of Safa Vhembe, Mr George Kubayi, said the football family had lost one of its pillars, someone who had always been working hard towards the development of the soccer. “The whole region was shocked when we heard of his untimely death. We have been with him for many years. We used to visit him even during his last days and he could not stop talking about soccer.”

He is survived by his wife, two children, brothers and parents. He was buried at Kutama.

News - Date: 09 October 2015

Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

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