After winning the league championship in Stream D of the Vhembe SAB League this season, Tshakhuma RO United decided to celebrate the team's achievement in a style of their own. The celebration party was held at the Nandoni Dam picnic site last Saturday afternoon.
According to the team's head coach, Mr Mashudu "Culio" Ndou, the party was organised and sponsored by the team's sponsor, Mr Apie Saayman from Globe Finance. As a token of appreciation for a job well done, Mr Saayman handed over a soccer kit, training kit, gold medals, trophy and 30 pairs of tracksuits to the captain of the team, Asivhanzhi Muthubi.
According to Saayman, the value of the items is R22 000. He said that he was happy with the relationship between his company and the club. He stated that he would continue to sponsor the team in the coming years, depending on the financial position of the company.
During the ceremony, the team's head coach, Mr Mashudu Ndou, said that the sponsorship wouldgo a long way in boosting the team's morale during their promotional playoff matches, which are expected to start in a few weeks' time.
Tshakhuma RO United's performance was impressive throughout the season. They managed to win 22 of the 30 matches they played, losing three and drawing five. When asked about their state of readiness for the coming playoff matches, Ndou said that they were ready for the challenges. He cited players like Asivhanzhi Muthubi (captain), Lufuno Mugodi (leading goal scorer) and Khathu Mukomafhedzi (centre back) as some of his secret weapons.
He further indicated that they were lucky to have the former national player of the Netherlands, Mr Frans van der Linden, in their camp. According to him, Van Der Linden is giving the technical staff important advice as part of the preparations for the much-talked-about promotional playoff matches.