by: Thabiso Nkuna
Kruger United has made history by becoming the first professional team from the Thulamahashe community in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga. Local businessmen Bongani Wati and Basil Khoza founded Kruger United ten months ago after acquiring Caroline FC’s status.
The dedication from management, the technical team, and the players led to an impressive first season. Kruger United won the Mpumalanga ABC Motsepe Championship, earned promotion to the Motsepe Foundation Championship, and became the ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs runners-up. Notably, Seun Ndlovu, known as Tower Black Card, was awarded Player of the Tournament, while the Top Goalscorer of the Tournament award went to Mzoxolo Rafani from Highbury FC.
Co-owner Wati explained the origin of the team’s name: “The reason we chose the name Kruger is that our LFA has two streams—Mngwenya and Kruger—and we belong to the Kruger stream. When we bought the team, we adopted the name Kruger. Additionally, many communities in Bushbuckridge, where we come from, have ties to the Kruger National Park. So, we are identified with the name Kruger, which is part of our heritage. It has nothing to do with race.”
Wati also expressed their desire to play at Thulamahashe Stadium, contingent upon the venue meeting PSL standards. “We would like to play at Thulamahashe Stadium. However, the pitch there is artificial,” he remarked.
