‘Pepe’ hopes new structure will unite retired players
Legend Mashaba is the new chairman
The recently elected executive of Gauteng’s affiliate of the SA Masters and Legends Football Association (SAMLFA) hopes other provinces will soon follow their example of establishing provincial bodies to unite retired professional players in the country.
“We are serving as a catalyst towards unity among our legends and this move will undoubtedly lead to the spirit of the development of football in the country,” said Irvin “Pepe” Dire.
The former Moroka Swallows legend is in charge of the Gauteng task team to coordinate and facilitate “the bringing together of all soccer legends and masters in the province”.
Dire doubles as treasurer of their newly-established body that voted in former Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba as chairman.
Although the upcoming Football Legends Cup was planned before the Gauteng masters’s structure was formed, Dire said the event has their full support.
“We will be there in full force and hope to see more of similar events of this nature in future. Some of our members are part of the festivities.”
The tournament is pencilled in for the Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday.
The event comprises four teams representing Soweto, Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni, as well as two sides featuring former Banyana Banyana players.
The Gauteng structure is made up of Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg, Sedibeng, Tshwane and the West Rand.