With Free State Stars boss Mike Mokoena laid to rest in Bethlehem, Free State on Friday morning, the provincial government has subsequently made a major announcement to honour the club boss’ legacy.
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Sisi Ntombela, the premier of the Free State, told mourners that her executive had taken the decision to rename Goble Park, a venue the Premier Soccer League outfit has used as its home ground for decades.
“We have resolved as the executive of the Free State provincial government to change the name of Goble Park Stadium to the Mike Mokoena Stadium,” she announced to applause.
“So next year when you come here and you make your way to Goble Park – you will be saying ‘we are going to the Mike Mokoena Stadium’. Of course, the necessary processes will be followed. Look, I swear, this one is going to happen. We have also checked who Goble was, we are not fighting anyone – it’s just a name from overseas and it means nothing to anybody. So indeed we were just waiting Bra Mike to take over. That Goble, will be Mike Mokoena Stadium. Long live the spirit of Bra Mike, long live.”
Among those present to give the 68-year-old Mokoena, who passed on after he succumbed to cancer last week, a send-off were PSL chairman Irvin Khoza, ex-Bafana Bafana captain and now Golden Arrow coach Steve Komphela as well as Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula.
Komphela also played for Stars before joining Kaizer Chiefs and subsequently moving to Turkey.
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