South African Grannies Team to Open World Cup 2010?

October 26th, 2009 | by: Daryl | Comments(2)

Move aside Bafana Bafana. The world has a new favourite South African team, and their name is Vakhegula Vakhegula, which means “Grannies” in the local Xitsonga dialect. Why? Because they’re a team of grandmothers of course, ranging in age from 40somethinng to 80something and competing in an eight team local league in around the Nkowankowa township, 600 kilometers north of Johannesburg.

Twice a week for around two years now, the team of grannies shrug off any domestic stuff they’re supposed to be doing and play the beautiful game:

“I like to play soccer because it helps,” said Nari Baloyi, who at 47-years-old, clocks in as one of the youngest players. “We were sick, but now our temperatures, our blood pressures… have gone down …even our doctors are amazed when we go for a check-up.”

There’s an idea being floated right now for Vakhegula Vakhegula to play an exhibition game before one of the World Cup 2010 opening games. Watch the video of the grannies in action after the jump, and then tell me that’s not the best idea ever.

Keep an eye out for the 0:50 mark, where 84 year old Nora Makhubela says “My life has really changed…if I were to run with you I would beat you even though I’m much older.” She’s talking to you Peter Crouch.

This right here is why I love the World Cup, and why it won’t matter if someone like Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t there. The World Cup’s not all about the big name players, it’s also about the heartwarming side stories that come with it.

I also love that the Grannies have local fans! And love even more the idea of the Vakhegula Vakhegula playing a part in opening World Cup 2010. If USA ‘94 can have Diana Ross taking a penalty…

…then South Africa 2010 needs to have the Grannies playing an exhibition match.

Anyone making a Wayne Rooney joke gets a zero for the day.