The well-known sports personality and former coach of Venda athletics and netball teams, Mr Mamba Patrick Nthangeni (69), passed away at the Phuluso Netcare Hospital in Polokwane on 21 April after a long illness. During his life, Nthangeni served as the coach of the Univen and Venda netball teams. He was also a coach at the former Finyazwananda Technical College, now known as Vhembe FET.

Napoli FC were crowned the champions of the Lumveleni Easter Soccer Tournament after defeating Manamani Blue Birds 1-0 in the final at the Ngudza Grounds last Sunday.

Well-known veteran cricket player from Louis Trichardt, Yahya Jiwa, has been selected for the national side that will represent South Africa in the upcoming Over-50s Africa Cup and early next year in the Over-50s Cricket World Cup.

After failing to reach the final of the Lumveleni Easter Soccer Tournament at the Ngudza Grounds last Saturday, Musasenda Big Five rose to the occasion and beat Mukula Young Santos 3-0 to lift the Vision Soccer Tournament trophy at the Khubvi Benjie’s Grounds on Sunday. The winner was determined via penalty shootout after a goalless draw at the end of regulation time.

One of Vhembe’s own netball stars is continuing to impress on the national and international stage. Phophi Nematangari from Duthuni is currently captaining both the University of Pretoria’s (Tuks) first team and the South African Youth netball side (Baby Proteas).

Two former traditional musangwe bare-knuckle pugilists, Khodani “Cena” Nephalama and Ishmael Makhado, are set to fly to Cape Town to participate in the Insane Boxing Promotions Tournament. The event will take place at the Pride Fighting Academy on Hope Street in Cape Town next Saturday, 27 April.

The Vhembe 12 Eagles wheelchair basketball team will participate in the Provincial Wheelchair Basketball Tournament for the Disabled, which will be held at the Seshego Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday, 20 April. They will be sending both male and female teams.

With only three matches remaining, the fate of the teams affiliated with the Limpopo Stream of the ABC Motsepe League that will face relegation or secure a place in the promotional playoffs at the end of the season remains unclear. The teams will be engaged in crucial league matches this weekend. Five matches will be played on Friday afternoon, with the same number of fixtures scheduled for Saturday.

Mahagala Young Stars were fined R15,000 and lost league points after being found guilty of assaulting a referee during their clash against Madandila Happy Boys. During the match, the supporters of Young Stars invaded the field and assaulted the referee.

Another normal weekend lies ahead for the teams affiliated with the Limpopo Stream of the Sasol Women’s League. Seven matches will be played at different venues throughout the province on Saturday, while only one is scheduled for Sunday.

The Khubvi Benjie’s Grounds will be a hive of activity this weekend as the Vision Soccer Tournament matches take place. The tournament was launched during a ceremony at Khubvi Primary School last Friday. Eight teams will participate in the tournament, with the quarter-final matches scheduled for Saturday, and the semi-final and final matches set for Sunday.

The training manager of local light-heavyweight boxer Fulufhelo “Mayweather” Ramaliba, Mr. John “Smoking Joe” Nemakonde, said his fighter had fought brilliantly against Dalon Processor at Emperor’s Palace in Kempton Park last Friday.

Venda Football Club (VFC) are leaving no stone unturned in their preparations for their match against Casric Stars, which will be played at Thohoyandou Stadium next Wednesday, 17 April. The fact that VFC are not certain about their future as an affiliate of the Motsepe Foundation Championship League is reason enough for them to ensure they collect the maximum points at stake in the match.