How about a #20yearchallenge in the wake of the recent #10yearchallenge where people were posting their latest pictures vs pictures of themselves from 10 years ago.
It got me thinking about what the football industry would be posting if we were to start a #20yearchallenge and a throwback to 1999 vs 2019.
It was an exciting time in Cape Town as the ground was being broken for the establishment of Ajax Cape Town, following the merger of Cape Town Spurs and Seven Stars.
The Urban Warriors recruited a host of talented footballers from the School of Excellence, among them was a tiny footballer named Steven Pienaar.
Current AmaZulu coach Cavin Johnson was involved with the School of Excellence and influential in Pienaar’s football career.
PLAYING: Steven Komphela. Photo: BACKPAGEPIX
Johnson would soon follow his protege and pack up for Ikamva to become a top youth coach.
The next generation of South African football stars was starting to carve out niches for themselves during what you could possibly refer to as the second cycle after the 1992-1998 Golden Era.
1999 was the same year Free State Stars were rebranded as they aimed to stake their claim in the region and rival Bloemfontein Celtic.
The club was known as Qwa Qwa Stars boasting the likes of Steve Komphela as former players.
It would be quite interesting to see that original Ea Lla Koto logo pop up somewhere for the current generation to know.
As the saying goes, “the brighter the light, the darker the shadow”.
So while there were some good throwback images that could be shared, I’m curious what the guys who didn’t make the cut to join the new Ajax and ended up at Mother City would post.
INFLUENTIAL: Cavin Johnson. Photo: CHRIS RICCO/BACKPAGEPIX
Mother City was the club that filled the void left after the merger.
They struggled big time that 1999-2000 season and were relegated as a result.
Now, what would some of the guys with football ages post about 1999?
That’s a story for another day, let’s leave it there for this week, ha, ha, ha.