Happy Heritage week, a time to celebrate culture, colour and character that makes us all, proudly South African! Historically, the day was known as Shaka Day in commemoration of the presumed date of death of Shaka, the Zulu king. In 1996 the newly democratic South African parliament renamed it Heritage Day to celebrate the unity of the diverse people of South Africa. 

A rather quite weekend generally in other sporting codes globally saw us zone into some football for our inspiration for this week’s #PlayOftheWeek. 

It was a case of mixed fortunes for Manchester United’s forward Jesse Lingard, who gave away an easy back pass during their Champion’s League match against Young Boys from Switzerlands who had a famous win against the Red Devils. Jesse Lingard then administered some revenge of his own against West Ham, the team that revived his career when Man Utd sent him on loan last season.

Jesse Lingard scored the winning goal when the two teams were deadlocked at a goal each and refused to celebrate to respect a team that showed him love, during a difficult time in his career. 

There was much drama in the PSL as well, with newcomers Royal AM facing Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs. The former has bought the club status of Bloemfontein Celtic and have been facing some off-the-field drama of their own with trying to minimise their squad to a manageable size since they had a squad of two teams.

The Durban outfit put all that drama aside when they came to Johannesburg and faced the not-so-mighty Amakhosi, beating them 4 goals to 1, which was an own goal even. This will be a famous win for the new team, but nothing new when it comes to Amakhosi losing to “smaller” teams.

But for this week’s Play of the Week, which coincides with the South African Heritage Week and builds well for Heritage Day this Friday 24th September, Durban team Amazulu led by former Bafana Bafana legend Benni McCarthy went to Malawi to face Nyasa Big Bullets who beat them at home when they secured a vital away goal.

After much off-the-field drama the teams left everything on the field when the South African team left Malawi with 3 away goals to no response from the Bullets. This meant Amazulu had turned around their loss in the first leg to a win and will go through to the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League! Their talisman, Bonginkosi Ntuli netted a brace to give #HebeUsuthu the advantage before Sphelele Mthembu, who had a good game and an assist, finished off with a third.

Congratulations to Coach Benni and his troops on this great representation and joining other South African teams in progressing to the next round, namely Mamelodi Sundowns; Marumo Gallants and Orlando Pirates.

Happy Heritage Week South Africa!

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