THOHOYANDOU - It was a delightful and joyful ceremony at the Indoor Sport Centre in Thohoyandou for soccer lovers, friends, dignitaries and family members, when the bride and bridegroom tied the knot during a colourful wedding ceremony.

Wanani Macdonald Mulaudzi (28) of Milaboni in Nzhelele married Mulalo Patricia Badugela (26) of Tshithuthuni, also in Nzhelele. Wanani is the captain of the professional soccer outfit, Black Leopards.

Approximately a thousand people witnessed the wedding of Wanani, the fifth son in his family of seven boys only. He is a member of Lutheran Church. The Leopards midfielder started his soccer career long ago at Khakhu Fast XI. Mulalo is a clerk at the Sweet Waters Private School.

The gifted star started his professional football in 1996 as a member of Leopards and also works as a prison warder at the Matatshe Central Prison. "I love Mulalo, that is why I did this. This is a symbol to the public that I'm no longer a youth, but a married man. I'm a professional player and prison warder, but it doesn't mean I'll undermine my sweetheart by means of that position," he said.

Former Black Leopards chairman and president of the Soweto Sports Committee, the SADC softball confederation, Central Gauteng Sports Forum and chairman of Jozi FM community radio station, Junior Ramovha, made a speech in which he wished the couple well. A former striker of Black Leopards, who is currently playing for Wits University, Magic Ratshivhadelo, added that Wanani is a disciplined man. Among the guests at the wedding were several Leopards players who wished their captain good luck. The guests were entertained by the Venda gospel sensation Tancred Netshiongolwe.