Veteran Soccer Coach Visits Village Teams
Neighboring villages, Ikhanoda and Msimihi, had a pleasant surprise when their team captains were asked to arrange an impromptu game against each other.
The teams were met by Rudi Martignacco, a long time coach and operator of soccer camps in Minnesota, USA and a guest of PEN Trust who had been busy helping to build Ikhanoda Secondary School earlier in the day. 
Each team received reversible soccer jerseys donated by the Northwest YMCA in Minnesota, as well as two new soccer balls, a pump and a t shirt for the referee.
After hearing a team progress report from the home team, the match progressed with more spectators watching the reactions of the four guests from America than the actual game.
How can you help?
*The teams and referees are still in need of basic items – shorts, socks, shin guards, cleats or tennis shoes, practice balls, game balls, whistles, referee uniforms, and goalie jerseys.
Additional Photos:
Headmaster of Ikhanoda Secondary School helps Rudi pump up the soccer balls donated to his school as well as those to the two village teams.
Each team received nine reversible soccer jerseys. Solveig presents the jerseys to the Ikhanoda team captain.
Catherine presents the yellow jerseys to the captain of the Msimihi team.
Each team received two new balls. Andrea presents one to the referee.
Rudi also presented a new ball to the referee.
After receiving all of their gifts, the teams were ready for a match.
Action photos of the game in progress… end results - Msimihi 4 - Ikhanoda 1.