‘Trouble in paradise’, ‘road block’, some of our minnow clubs’ monikers
Names give a sense of identity and add fun to the game
In Europe, and to a greater degree in England, the game’s founders and other parts of the world, football clubs are named after the cities in which they originate and were founded.
Take, for instance, the Manchester duo of City and United, Leeds, Newcastle and Liverpool. The list is endless. And outside the Premier League we have Spain’s Barcelona, the Madrids – Real and Atletico; Italy’s Juventus, Roma and Milan; France’s Paris Saint-germain, Montpellier and Marseille; and Germany’s Bayern Munich, Bochum and the Dortmunds of this world.
But in Mzansi football, there are a few clubs that are named after their cities and towns, however, there are exceptions, with Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, Lamontville Golden Arrows, Maritzburg United, Sekhukhune, deviating from the norm.
Historically, names were designed to instil fear and terror in the opposition players. Names not only add fun but are part of the very essence of the game alongside fans in colourful regalia, beating their drums or blowing their horns.
It has been a revelation to discern some of the names of clubs plying their trade in the lower rungs of our soccer that have made the cut for the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup.
Guess what? We have Mathaithai, an outfit based in Botshabelo, a town 45km east of Bloemfontein in the Free State, campaigning in Safa’s third division ABC Motsepe League. The menacing Mathaithai visit Pretoria to face the unstoppable Dstv Premiership log leaders Sundowns in the second round proper of the knockout competition on Tuesday.
You may ask: what’s in a moniker? To the uninitiated, Mathaithai means “trouble in paradise” in Sotho. In African football, names not only give a sense of identity but also motivate players, giving them powers of invincibility over the opposition.
On Friday, Venda Football Academy take on University of Pretoria at home in Thohoyandou in the second round of the cup competition. They campaign in the national second tier, but why are they disparagingly named Academy.
It might be a historical name, signalling where it all started on the dusty gravel pitches of the amateur ranks. The Academy calls for a name change realising they are one step away from possibly gaining promotion to top-flight football. And if they gain promotion to the elite league, will they still be an Academy?
I love Sinenkani. On Saturday they are at home in Mthatha, where they entertain National First Division side Tshakuma Tsha Madzivhandila. Tshakhuma is a village in Venda (Levubu) popular for its huge fruit and veg market.
Madzivhandila loosely translates to “road block” but is, in fact, the name of their king.
Back to Sinenkani. “The cheeky ones”, as it translates in any of the Nguni languages, had its origins articulated while I was driving to the Eastern Cape in December when Putco Mafani, the Umhlobo Wenene radio sports anchor, was interviewing club chairperson Nathi Nqoko.
“The name signifies resilience, perseverance and hope for a better future. It is about pushing boundaries even though you come from a poor background. We fight until we win,” Nqoko summed up.
Go all the way in the Nedbank Cup, Mathaithai; prove you are no amateurs, Academy; show them you are made of sterner stuff, Sinenkani.
Mathaithai means ‘trouble in paradise’ in Sotho, and in African football, names also motivate players