SOCCER’S POPULARITY, YET EMPTY STANDS

Nehema Ntumba

@nehema_ntumba

Football, or as it is called in South Africa, soccer, is one of the biggest team sports in the world. According to the BMI Adult SportTrack 2016, soccer remains the most participated-in sport among adults in South Africa, with 3.2 million players. Growing up, most people either played or watched their friends play soccer, which then begs the question: why is there such an underwhelming amount of support surrounding residence soccer?

On Thursday, 21 August, Patria and Overs played against each other, with both teams needing a win to secure a spot in the semi-finals next week. Although the game was a crushing blow for Patria, losing 2–0, they had the majority of possession in the first half and produced three amazing assists that unfortunately ended in disappointment. One would assume this game would have drawn more student support, as it was a match between the reigning champions and Patria — a giant among other male residences. However, the stands were empty, with only a handful of supporters present, including reserves and coaches.

Moreover, most residences encourage their members to support their fellow brothers and sisters. Some even make it mandatory for first-years to attend a specific number of games. However, this pillar of support does not translate to residence soccer, which is not only disheartening but also hypocritical. If the mantra of “support each other” is constantly being rehearsed, why is it not materialising across all sports?

Lindor Mnisi, a player and coach for both Patria’s 1st and 2nd teams, as well as the coach for Bellatrix, said:

“It’s difficult at times to dig deep and push through during a difficult game when there are no people there to support you. For our first game, it was only the HC there to support us. After that, the only supporters we had were the second team players—and vice versa.”

Lindor, a fourth-year pharmacy student, is also responsible for creating the “unofficial” soccer league for private students and is a member of the university’s chess team. Despite his responsibilities, he still finds it within himself to give his all for his residence — whether by supporting sports he doesn’t play, such as rugby, or by playing soccer (even while being called an “old man” by Overs supporters, or having a teammate called “Jan van Riebeeck”). He still pushes through.

There are many students like Lindor who, despite their demanding schedules, play their hearts out for their residences. Such perseverance and hard work should not only be recognised but also supported.

The excuse often given for the lack of support is that many students in Potchefstroom are “unfamiliar with soccer.” However, some players — like Lindor — never grew up watching rugby, yet still support their fellow residence brothers when they play because of their love for their residence. This excuse is not only wrong but also absurd. Support has nothing to do with whether someone fully understands the game. It is about recognising that one of their own is pushing their body to its limits. That alone should warrant support.

It’s time to retire that excuse and start showcasing real brotherhood and sisterhood. It’s time to live out the mantras we rehearse.

The empty stands are no reflection of the talent these players possess — even though some find it difficult to score despite great assists. Instead, they reflect how we, as the Potchefstroom student life community, have disappointed these players.

The soccer field where the residence soccer match took place and slightly empty without a lot of supporters (Source: Nehema Ntumba)

Edited by Mignon Walters