Meshack Motloung

Meshack Motloung

Randfontein Local Municipality, the home town of Patrick "Ace" Ntsoelengoe, will commemorate the death of the former soccer giant from May 28 to June 2, in conjunction with Kaizer Chiefs and Sowetan.

The commemoration, which will culminate in the unveiling of Ntsoelengoe's tombstone next Sunday (June 3), was launched at the Randfontein Council Chambers yesterday.

The parties will organise a number of activities such as soccer clinics for schools, coaching workshops, soccer matches and a golf day until June 2. The activities will be conducted by Kaizer Chiefs, ex-professionals, Safa West Rand and the 70/80 Soccer Legends.

Ntsoelengoe's widow, Thato, said the Ntsoelengoe Foundation was formed two months after the death of her hubby and its objectives were to develop the game among the youth on the West Rand.

"My husband had a passion for the game and his objective was to promote the game on the West Rand," she said.

Chiefs' communications director Thebe Mohatle said: "Ntsoelengoe was highly committed to the game of football."

Simphiwe Ndungane from Sowetan's marketing department said: "We, as the event's media partners, are proud to be part of this event."

There will also be motivational speeches by 2010 Fifa World Cup ambassadors such as Doctor Khumalo, Phil Masinga, Kalusha Bwalya, Lucas Radebe, Aids activist Chriselda Kananda, Mbongeni Ngema and YFM DJ Rude Boy Paul.

Ntsoelengoe was inducted into the US Hall of Fame.

In the US, playing for Minnesota Kicks, his manager could not pronounce Ntsoelengoe, so he called him "Not so long ago".