“Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens”. ― Kahlil Gibran
Molweni* to our elders, brothers, sisters & all football fanatics. We conclude the month of October today, I can only wish everyone a productive & happy November.
All the best!!!
Allow me to take this opportunity this morning to wish all students a fruitful examination period. The Bible has always said ” my people parish because of lack of knowledge”. It is only by knowledge that we can transform our lives, hence it is important to learn as much as we can as we embark on the journey of life. The examination period is a special period as it tests the mind, when ones mind gets tested it allows for growth of the intellectual capacity thus we need to embrace this period.
We further ought to study to achieve the good marks, the Lord Almighty helps those who help themselves. It is when we give that we shall receive, our efforts is the only secret recipe. The other day Mamelodi Sundowns FC CAF Champions League winning Coach Ntate Pitso Mosimane said the Champions League triumph was due to extensive hard work, comprising of research & constant study of the opponents, environment etc. He further explained how match day is like test day after all the studying the game is the exam. He warned that sufficient time was needed in preparation, as come the exam period one should only be revising.
All the best to students across the various educational institutions, internships etc. Revise smartly, stay focused & use education as your key to reach your aspirations.
Vaal Diski 9~Nine Ambassador Tumelo Mokwena writes in his capacity as a Footballer, Postgraduate & devoted Christian
Until next week lets Maintain the Balance
*Molweni is isiXhosa term for good morning. isiXhosa is one of the 11 official languages of South Africa.
1 Vaal Diski 9~Nine: When did the tourney start & how did Moso Consulting Services get involved?
•Coach Tebello Benza: The tournament started in 2005 it’s a annual tourney for the Sedibeng community. Moso is involved because it is a sponsorship for Vaal Milano FC, so the tournament is played under the Vaal Milano FC umbrella.
2 How many divisions are there & what is the total number of teams competing?
•The tournament consists of 6 divisions, Under-11, Under-13, Under-15, Under-17, Under-19 & senior teams. A total of 120 teams are going to participate in this year’s tourney.
3 Please share more about who Moso Consulting Services are & what does the company specialise in?
•Moso Consulting Services, established in 1998, is a one of the leading South African companies, offering a diverse range of financial services that are customized to meet customers’ needs and gives them peace of mind. Since its establishment, Moso has grown to consult for over 100 000 lives in the medical schemes industry, short-term insurance, life cover insurance including funeral benefits insurance. As a company, we also partner with a number of private and public companies in South Africa, to offer financial services and solutions that meet our customers needs.
4 What have been the challenges & achievements of the tourney?
• Achievements so far has been the growth of the tourney as it started with 4 teams in 2005, so every year it’s growing even bigger. A total of 10 players have been scouted in this tournament by Absa Premiership League academies whilst 15 players are playing in the Absa Premiership League.
Coach Tebello Benza the man behind MCS Football Tournament
Salute Moso Consulting Services & Vaal Milano FC for affording many youngsters a platform to showcase their talent & further change their lives.
“Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds”. -Albert Einstein
e kaaro* to our elders, brothers, sisters & all football fanatics. A massive congratulations to Mamelodi Sundowns FC for a historical triumph of the CAF Champions League. Kings of the continent, Salute Masadawana!!!
Greatness will always be challenged…
Great potential will always be challenged as it promises something extraordinary. We ought appreciate that those who critique, definitely see something in you even though they wont fully disclose it. Sadly we have inherited a culture of not complimenting & giving each other support hence we often challenge when we ought to just support. Something with promise will always have to go some hiccups to fully flourish as it possesses all signs of greatness. We can take out a leaf from Mamelodi Sundown’s book, though knocked at some stage of the tournament once they were recalled they seized the opportunity & rewrote history. Prior to the final, having felt Sundown’s wrath last week, Zamalek tried all mischievous things to unsettle Masadawana but because greatness was what was envisioned, Sundowns prevailed.
Critique will always be there no matter what, what is of importance is what we choose to do with the critique. Its like the old saying of how dogs will always bark at moving cars, ultimately its up to us what we we choose to do. Do we give up or do we keep on believing? Wishing everyone a productive happy week.
Vaal Diski 9~Nine Ambassador Tumelo Mokwena writes in his capacity as a Footballer, Postgraduate & devoted Christian
Until next week lets Maintain the Balance
e kaaro* translates to good morning in Yoruba, a language which originates from Benin City in Nigeria.
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence is not an act, but a habit”. -Aristotle
Name: Joseph Surname: Mathlong DOB: 08/06/1991
Position/s: North West University Vaal Campus Acting Football Manager & Head Coach Nickname: Mentor
Joseph 'Mentor' Mathlong
The journey of life is a gradual occurrence, from pre-birth to our first class in elementary school. The experience is though invisible, often leads towards something hence it was heartening to hear the current acting football manager at North West University Vaal Campus is a former player of the institution’s NWU Vaal FC team. In his own words he gives us insight on his journey…
The Manager
Vaal Diski 9~Nine: Congratulations on your new position & how does it feel given your rise has been a gradual one from player to now both manager & coach?
Joseph Mathlong: I am greatful, first of all, I would like to thank the Head of Sports Mr.Sean who felt I was fit enough for this position. I would also like to thank Mr. Thomas Thema who has always believed in me all along & helped mentor me.
How dynamic is the position ?
It has been a learning curve, its challenging as my responsibilities are all about helping manage a large group of people with a different makeup. Having walked in a structured environment here at NWU Vaal FC with full support from the university it has been a blessing. Its also key to surround oneself with peers with the same mindset.
How have you handled the pressure?
First of all it was very important to assemble a team which would help me towards navigating the role. The essential thing is that we are based at an educational institution which has allowed for the borrowing of expertise, whilst also providing experience for students who are aligned in the same profession. Managing both female & male football has pushed me to work hard to equate matters, so as to have equality. Managing 65 people and being aware in all the leagues we are affiliated to has also been about having a realistic clear plan so as to be able to meet targets.
It must be quite challenging to have dual roles, how do you strike the balance between being a manager & coach?
My team is very supportive and its all about knowing what to do & where to do it. From 8am its managerial duties of planning, drafting proposals & keeping all administration stuff in order. From 4pm, its all about pitch duties & coaching. Having a clear plan allows me to thrive in this dual role, as having a plan in both dictates I stick to what my team & I had planned beforehand.
Gradual Excellence (From Player to Captain to Football Manager)
The Coach
How would you define your team’s playing style?
We keep the ball, as we have mastered being comfortable with it. There is a consistent combination play with a variety of tactical acclimatising. I am a huge follower of Pep Guardiola, so there is an influence here & there.
How have you handled the coaching of some of your former teammates who are still part of the team & also how have they adjusted to you now as their coach?
It was not easy, but with respect for one another it has been doable. To move from friend zone to now issue instructions would always need a certain level of professionalism from both. Their support has been great.
Given the sole mandate of students at a educational institution is academic achievement, how have you dealt with this issue?
I constantly remind the players that priority should be given to their academics. At times it is disappointing to only have 10 players attend a session, but we then organise extra training sessions. To keep our players focused on the academic side we try to be more than just coaches, but also vehicles of support. We make sure also to check their progress after every test series.
What are the lessons you have learnt thus far?
Planning is crucial, lack of planning equates to failure. I have also learned to trust my players win or lose, to give them a chance whilst also being a good player manager so as to allow them to trust in you and your mission.
You have some success stories to share under your leadership, what are they?
Yes, two of our players Lucky Lehonye & Bongani Mabena{captain} were both selected for the Gauteng National Team. We also saw two of our players get signed by Kaizer Chiefs FC to play for their reserve team in the Multichoice Diski Challenge namely Bongani Mabena & Siyabulela Mosia. 3 of our players from our ladies team were chosen to help our main campus in the Varsity Cup. Both our teams female & male have qualified for the USSA Championships in Cape Town, this upcoming December.
NWU Vaal FC players who were chosen to represent the The Gauteng National Team
What is your ambition heading into the SAB season?
I would like to win the SAB, go all the way and reach the ABC Motsepe League. Having said that I wish every team all the best in the league and let us work towards it being the best SAB league in the country.
What are your last words?
I wish to thank everyone who has helped to shape me into who I have become. I believe as a region its been long overdue to finally have a team in the NFD or PSL. We need to come together & take our region forward. To all players most especially the professionals, guys we need you guys to come back in the communities and help inspire the future footballers. I would like to also wish both Orange Vaal Professionals FC & Vaal Professionals FC all the best in the ABC Motsepe League this season.
Siyabulela Mosia & Bongani Mabena, now part of Kaizer Chiefs FC Multichoice Diski Challenge team
“Learn to be brave and adventurous because you’ll never discover your place in the world, if you’re too afraid to leave your own backyard.”-Nina Guilbeau
A good morning to our elders, sisters, brothers & fellow football fanatics. Allow me to take this opportunity & say Aluta Continua, as we head into the week that will see the 30th commomeration of the passing of the revolutionary Mozambique born Samora Machel who lost his life in a plane crash on the 19 October 1986.
Understand what you are working towards…
This morning I would like to share about us fully understanding what we are working towards. Whilst reading my Bible, I came across the story of Jacob in the book of Genesis, chapter 29. The story tells of how Jacob worked for a whole seven years with his end goal being a reward, which would be a wife by the name of Rachel, only to be told by his employer that he would be rewarded with Rachel’s sister Leah, as due to the family’s law the first born gets to marry first . The above tale helps us learn a vital lesson that in all we have decided to focus upon, we ought to do thorough research on it. Had Jacob looked & asked the questions about what the family law stated, he would not have worked seven years only to be disappointed at the end.
Nowadays we often find ourselves only focusing on the outside picture of the various things we involve ourselves in, only to disappointed by the actual happenings inside. We might love & be interested by the amazing feats of Mamelodi Sundowns FC in the CAF Champions League Final, but how many of us do we know that they had to pass some tough conditions on the continent on route the final. We might all like the sound of being an Chartered accountant, but how many of us have done research to understand all the processes involved in becoming a certified CA! Failure due less work done on research is stupidity & we ought to stop this trend. Our aspirations become reality by us dedicating everything in our power to make them possible. We are also quite fortunate that we live in an era where information can be accessed easily, be it via mobile or people who are already established. Research & fulfil your aspirations.
Vaal Diski 9~Nine Ambassador Tumelo Mokwena writes in his capacity as a Footballer, Postgraduate & devoted Christian
Elevation with Aubrey Mapeka is Vaal Diski 9~Nine feature every Wednesday morning…
Good morning ladies and gentlemen who are wired to win in life & fellow fans of Vaal Diski 9~Nine let me first send my condolences to the family of fellow football star Dida. Today is his memorial service at the Saul Tsotetsi Sports Complex, in Zone 14 Sebokeng, it starts at 12:00.
Life is an emergency…
Today I would to share something insightful I learned at School of Legends led by my mentor Dr Khunju. Life is an emergency, many of us make the mistake of living our lives relaxed forgetting that there is a specific period of time given to us to fulfil what we have been assigned to accomplish on earth.
Life is an emergency and doesn’t require us to be on the relax mode as if we have already accomplished our assignments in life. How many people do you know who are at same age as you & have passed on? What makes you to be relaxed and think your day wont come, we are all passing hence as we remain on earth it is important to effect as much change as possible. Many of us carry solutions to the problems of our nation yet we choose to remain quiet and do nothing. No one is born to deposit his/her gifts and talents, ideas inside the grave. We all born to solve problems of the people, through the various sectors of our lives. Once you know your assignment do not get relaxed knowing you haven’t fulfilled it.
By: The Unlimited Speaker, Aubrey Mapeka
“Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood. Make big plans, aim high in hope and work”.-Daniel H.Burnham
Striking the Balance with Tumelo Mokwena is a Vaal Diski 9~Nine feature every Monday morning…
Farewell Tshowana Meshack “Dida” Mokonyana, A tribute…
Tshowana Meshack 'Dida' Mokonyana
“Believe with all of your heart that you will do what you were made to do”. -Orison Swett Marden
Morning to all our elders, brothers, sisters & fellow football fanatics. Today as Vaal Diski 9~Nine we take this opportunity to bid farewell to one of the Vaal’s most talented footballer in Tshowana Meschack ‘Dida’ Mokonyana.
During such times it is always difficult to put in words what the heart feels. I was not close to ‘Dida’, but with him being a fellow brother from the township & us sharing the love for diski (football) we would bump into each wherever the round ball was. Being quite familiar with the likes of Bongane Theletsane & Vusimuzi Gcantsane, I recall a particular moment at the annual Kgokgi tournament when I went to the say hi to the above mentioned guys, as they responded ‘Dida’ also responded in a enthusiastic manner. This shows the humility he had, he was a kind of person who made anyone comfortable around him. He was a rare breed, who believed in cutting the gap of the more famed footballers with the general community. His life though we might think was cut short, but as a Christian I believe he fulfilled that which the Lord Almighty sent him to earth to accomplish.
The life of ‘Dida’ should be celebrated, the good, the bad & everything as he was not just what we might have known him as on the football pitch. Some knew him as a friend, son, brother, grandson etc. Dida was a humble soul who never forgot us in the township, he was of the class that worked hard to be part of the acclaimed football academies of South Africa, the School of Excellence, Mamelodi Sundowns FC & Kaizer Chiefs FC. No matter who he was playing for he always blended with us majita (guys). Though some players would boast & show off that they were part of the best academies through their apparel, I remember Dida never showing off. His life though short is a reminder that its not how much time we have but what we do with the time we have as we will never know the day when that untimely call rings. Dida is a great, he is & will always be one of the references of the Vaal. He is an embodiment of what hard work & passion can result in, he loved his football & football loved him back. Football took him to continents, football gave him an opportunity to experience the unimaginable & the Lord used football to reveal him to the world.
Vaal Diski 9~Nine Ambassador Tumelo Mokwena writes in his capacity as a Footballer, Postgraduate & devoted Christian
On behalf of Vaal Diski 9~Nine we send our commiserations to the Mokonyana, Celta Vigo FC & Vaal Triangle football families. Rest in peace Dida!!! •••• 10 August 1992- 4 October 2016 ••••
Elevation with Aubrey Mapeka is a Vaal Diski 9~Nine feature every Wednesday…
Good day,fellow brothers and sisters who are wired to win in life, today I would like to talk about fighting the battles that reward us.
Never involve yourself into arguments that wont reward you at the end & never partake in things that won’t make you a better person in life rather focus on involving yourself in things that will push you closer to your goals and dreams. In whatever you do check why you do what you doing and how will that help you to grow in life. Many times we easily involve ourselves with things that do not add value in our lives. Remember life doesn’t give you what you deserve but life rewards you on what you are willing to fight for.
By: Aubrey Mapeka, The Unlimited Speaker
Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible. -St.Francis of Assisi
* Deepest Condolences to the Mokonyana family on the passing of Mpho Mokonyana #Dida #15
“There are two things to aim at in life; first to get what you want, and after that to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind has achieved the second.”- Logan Pearsall Smith
Names: Tshepo Eric Surname: Ntlaba DOB: 01/03/1996…
Current club: Mamelodi Sundowns FC Multichoice Diski team Previous clubs: Makaota 77 FC, Ghetto 7 FC, VUT Development, Tshepiso Barcelona FC & Vaal Milano FC (all amateur teams)
Nickname: Bayano Locale: Verganoeg, Sharpeville
Tshepo 'Bayano' Ntlaba, The goal-machine in action
Santi Cazorla, Kabelo Mahlasela, Benedict ‘Tso’ Vilakazi & Bennett Chenene all share something in common, they are short in stature. At one point along their careers they were told they were either “too short” or that they would not make the pro ranks due to their size. Enter Tshepo ‘Bayano’ Ntlaba, who at an early age defied the long myth invented by lazy coaches & at 20 years of age, Bayano has rubbed shoulders with the elite of Mamelodi Sundowns FC first team after being invited to pre-season preparations & further impressing. Read-on as Bayano paints us his football beginnings & how he plans to plot his way to the top of Kabo Yellow.
One when, how & what age he began his relationship with ⚽ ?
Tshepo Ntlaba: It was around about the age of 7 years-old when started going to trials but was often rejected due to my small stature. I went back home asked my parents & brother to assist me find a club but they ended up starting a club, Maakaota 77 FC which was my first club & from the age of 8 years-old I then started playing regularly.
On what his nickname ‘Bayano’ means & how did he get it?
Tshepo Ntlaba: (Laughs) Well I asked the person who gave it to me and he told me ka hlopha ( I am a nuisance) and I am crazy so I remind him of some guy na dlala skanna (A player who played similar to me) who was ‘Bayano’ but never got to meet the person or watch him play, so actually I got it by the way neke dlala ka teng ( I played)
On his football playing style…
Tshepo Ntlaba: (Laughs) its a tough one … um (laughs) I would say a goal scoring machine who is fearless in front of goals because dribbling is the last thing that ever comes to my mind. I sometimes do because waitsi (you know) crowd sometimes tlameile o ba thabise (one needs to please the fans).
On what lessons he learned at all the teams that he has played for & how its impacted on the player he is today?
Tshepo Ntlaba: (Laughs) well you know different coaches but well at Makaota 77 I actually learned that u don’t need to have big names in the team to win matches if players are committed and work hard we can win all the matches.
°At Ghetto it was different you know having to play with people who are well known, via it was a big team so one was expected to come to the party.
°Well VUT, Tshepiso Barcelona and Vaal Milano they are actually coached by one person not much difference but that’s were Coach Tebello taught me to be a different player and be a midfield that scores goals and not only be a good contributor. So that’s when I started having the scoring mentality because whenever we were drawing, the coach would scream out loud and say “10 minutes remaining we need to score”.
On Coach Benza, how he would define the role he has played his career,both on & off the field?
Tshepo Ntlaba: He played the most important role because there were times whereby things didn’t go as planned and he would sit with me after sessions or walk with me and would actually tell me if I listen to him he will take me places. On the field it was war (laughs) you know players don’t like being shouted at so he would sit on my neck every session to ensure I perfected everything we were doing although I was training with older guys and the were on fire by then the likes of Basti, Hluga, Thiplo, Pandoza, Tovey, Magiya and other guys so it was difficult for me to play in the team but age to him didn’t matter he would tell me that’s where I belonged. (Laughs) football by then was my first priority because I wasnt given any days off he would say I should sleep with boots next to me because he would call me to come play anytime.
On how his stint at VUT propelled his move to Mamelodi Sundowns youth setup & how he you prepared himself as assessments are often unpredictable?
Tshepo Ntlaba: Yeah um well I was actually training with the senior guys which helped me to handle the pressure whilst doing extra training and playing as many games as I could, so I went there ready because I was used to the competition.
On how his time at Sundowns has been like ?
Tshepo Ntlaba: Well I would say great but you know its a big team so every game is like a final, but most important is that you get to work with highly qualified coaches who would teach u what u need to know before reaching the Premier Soccer League. (Laughs) but I still ask for guidance from some of the local coaches.
On how would he describe the experience of playing in the Multichoice Diski Challenge & how has the experience impacted on your aspirations in becoming a professional player?
Tshepo Ntlaba: Well that is a tough one but it has helped me alot as an upcoming footballer because we get exposed to the real lifestyle of being a professional footballer like the travels, camps & also having some time for other things meaning you have to put most of your focus to the game and also playing infront of a packed stadium ,it just gives me that thing of being all fired up in making sure that I make it to the top. As hard as it gets everyday my 3Ds keep me going -determination,dedication and discipline. Overall I have just learnt to be appreciative and make use of the platform I am given.
On what has been his best tour since joining Sundowns & what was special about it?
Tshepo Ntlaba: Its when I joined the first team for preseason in a tournament held in Namibia, what made it special was that I scored my first goal in the final.
In action for Mamelodi Sundowns FC during a preseason game in Nambia in the final of the Annual Dr.Hage Geingob Cup against Tigers FC.He later scored to give Sundowns a 4-2 win
On whether being part of an organised football structure does it automatically fade away his supporter status or does he keep being a supporter discreetly? Tshepo Ntlaba: (Bursts in loud laughter) well I usually tell people that I support Orlando Sundowns because I have too much love for the team. The problem arises when they play against each other I become like a lost supporter who doesn’t know which team he supports, but I love Pirates.
On how being exposed to the first team & playing for a team like Sundowns,humbles him & what does he challenge himself to reach in the upcoming years?
Tshepo Ntlaba: I have learnt to be greatful and make use of the platform I am given staying humble knowing how many, many youngsters around the country only dream about this. I am also living the dream of others, (smiles)I dont know if im being too ambitious but I wanna be the best player in the country in few years time and get to play abroad as well.
On how his your family support has impacted on him & his career?
Tshepo Ntlaba: Well they ensured that I did not struggle with boots and taxi fare when either going to matches & training. It is very touching remebering that they sometimes had to give me chelete ya bona ya mosebetsi hore fela ke tsamaye ka bolo (they would sacrifice their money for work just to see me be able to tour with my football) and as for my brother he is my mentor, my number one supporter every game I play ko kasi dula ale daar( All my games in the township he is always present). My sister, she deals with discipline waitsi (she knows) we players ra hlopha (are mysterious) so whenever nkare ketswa tseleng (I show signs of going wayward) I just know I am going get a harsh message from her.
⚽⚽⚽Tikki-taka with Bayano…
Whats worse missing a penalty or playing against a no-nonsense defender?
Tshepo Ntlaba: (laughs, its missing a penalty).
Your favourite Vaal footballer?
Tshepo Ntlaba: Sibusiso ‘Super’ Phiri
MTN8 2016 Final, Sundowns 0-3 Wits? What was your reaction?
Striking the Balance with Tumelo Mokwena is a Vaal Diski 9~Nine feature every Monday morning…
Shani * to the elders, sisters, brothers & all football fanatics. Today is October the 3rd, its the 41st week of the year 2016. Though I have given a detailed intro in the previous sentence, all those are just statistics, important but not everything. At the end of the day it is what we do with the time we have be it today or along the course of this week, after all Bafana Bafana’s triumphant AFCON win in 1996 is what we will forever remember & not the amount of corners, goals nor free kicks we either conceded or received. A Happy 50 years of independence to our neighbors Botswana, may you continue to grow!!! Matla
Strike the Balance my fellow brothers & sisters!!!
Allow me to point out that the main purpose of this feature is to assist fellow brothers & sisters in the football fraternity & beyond to strive to have efficient balanced lives. It is to motivate fellow human beings to juggle the different aspects of our lives like football freestyler Sipho Freddy who is able to juggle the round ball in various acrobatic postures. No matter what we are passionate about, there comes a time which we need to do other stuff, be it work, school etc. It is when we are able to balance all the aspects of our lives that we can embark on the road to self-defined success.
Balance is mathematical,so is the journey of life & is defined in the Oxford dictionary as: weighing apparatus with hanging pans or even distribution of weight or amount- to equalize. We are the apparatus & the hanging pans symbolise the different aspects of our lives. Ultimately it is you & I who have the choice to make, will we equalize all aspects of our lives so as to revel in all & in totality be able to master our destiny? Strike the Balance.
Vaal Diski 9~Nine Ambassador Tumelo Mokwena writes in his capacity as a Footballer, Postgraduate & devoted Christian
Shani* is translated as Hello in the Bemba language, a language of fellow Southern African neighbors the country, Zambia.
Vaal Diski 9-Nine 