Not quite the AFCON but hey…

Not quite the Africa Cup of Nations...while Africa's football stars battle it out for glory at grand stadiums in Côte d'Ivoire - young footballers who dream of the big time compete for honours on hard as rock grounds like this one in Ga-Maja, a rural village in the Polokwane Local Municipality in Limpopo. The fields have no amenities such as dressing rooms, taps for water, grass or lights. Fans bring their own chairs or spend the afternoons sitting on rocks or on the ground to watch the games which are played all day on Saturdays and Sundays. Despite the lack of proper facilities the game is played with passion every week. Clubs which are often run by passionate football fans with very little resources organise top eight tournaments where they each pay a participation fee and compete for cash prizes. The games which draw big crowds are held on a rotational basis from one village to the other every weekend. Players travel on open bakkies, lorries, taxi and on foot to reach far-off villages to reach the football grounds. The games also offer village residents who have very little in terms of recreational facilities an opportunity to socialise and enjoy the game. It would be great if the authorities and corporates help to improve the fields which play such an important role in the lives of the young men and their communities. Photo: Lucas Ledwaba