A penalty shootout is usually full of tension – and even if the players are mostly in their sixties and the soccer match is just for fun – scoring a goal is still a great achievement!

Meet the Vakhegula Vakhegula [ba-ke-goo-la]. Vakhegula means grandmother in Tsonga. The team was started two years ago to help senior citizens get some exercise. They train twice a week.
    
83 year old Nora Makhubela is a center and the oldest in the team. She says, “I have had stroke six times, before I started playing, I couldn’t walk properly, my legs used to ache a lot, now I feel better, I can even run faster than you!”

Their team coach, David Maake cant hide his excitement at the progress he’s made with the aged ladies. “I’m very happy because I think these grannies are playing very well, not because they are playing to win but because they stay healthy and we are always enjoying that," he remarks.

Besides improving their health – soccer has also helped some of the ladies develop an interest in the game. South Africa hosts the World Cup this year and some team members are eager to watch the games. Nora Makhubela is one of them.

In Video: Granny Football Fever

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“I wish God could protect me and help me to live until 2010, I also pray a lot. Many people have not lived till this age - I just want to thank God. Thank you so much and can you also keep me in your prayers?” she queries.

The players buy their own kit and even help fund competitions against other teams. Since they have a match tomorrow - those who can hand in their contributions as practice winds up.