This year’s Ocean XI FC Easter Tournament rekindled flamboyant township football. Staged annually at the Clive Solomon Stadium in Heidedal, Bloemfontein, the competition created new football memories during the four-day event.
Despite the stadium being a shadow of its former self, as experienced over the Easter weekend, talented players were scouted here back in the day to play for amateur clubs such as the Rabbits.
Players formerly scouted include the likes of defenders Willem Jackson, Jan Kotoane, Solomon Gatri, Willem Vries, and the Arries brothers, Hendrick and Japie. These stars went on to play for elite clubs and represent South Africa internationally.
The Arries brothers, both late, played for the now defunct Bloemfontein Celtic and AmaZulu. Japie also represented South Africa in junior international competitions.
Gatri and Vries both had a lengthy stint with Phunya Sele Sele. Kotoane and Jackson, who also started their professional career at Celtic, went on to play for Orlando Pirates. Jackson also formed part of the Bafana Bafana 1998 World Cup squad.
The involvement of the retired footballers such as Kotoane and Gatri in organising this year’s tournament took many down memory lane.
Players of 16 local clubs competed on knockout basis for a sizeable winner’s purse in front of vociferous fans.
Heidedal XI won the overall R15 000 prize and restored the team’s pride by beating Amaroto 3 – 2 in the final. The runner-up received R5 000, and Chippa United claimed the R3 000 third prize after beating Young Ones 4 – 3 on penalties.
