After sealing an unforgettable June, capped by a dominant 5–0 victory, there was no better way to open the new month than facing our high‑flying rivals, Diepkloof All Stars, who came into the match sitting proudly at number one on the log. The week leading up to the clash was filled with banter, energy, and noise from both sides, adding spice, pressure, and excitement to an already massive fixture. Our supporters arrived knowing they were about to witness a real battle, and Obaba Babo stepped onto the pitch ready to match that intensity.
And the match delivered everything. From the first whistle, Obaba started with purpose, creating chances, winning freekicks, and pushing forward with real intent, but the finishing touch just wouldn’t come. One of the early moments saw Thabo unleash a powerful long‑range shot that the keeper spilled, but Ntsika couldn’t convert the rebound, a chance that could have changed the tone of the match.
Diepkloof capitalised in the 15th minute, taking the lead and forcing Fathers to chase the game. The boys fought hard to respond, matching DK’s intensity and refusing to drop their heads, but the log leaders kept attacking with full force. We went into halftime trailing by a single goal, knowing the second half would demand even more fight, discipline, and belief.
Seven minutes into the second half, the Technical Team made a bold triple change, introducing Sjijo, Sjene, and Gaucho. The impact was immediate, the team’s energy lifted, the tempo increased, and Obaba began applying real pressure. The momentum shift paid off when Spha produced the equalizer, launching a long kick from the back that sailed untouched and dropped beautifully into the net. It was a moment that reignited belief and reminded everyone that Obaba Babo were far from done.
In the 65th minute, the Technical Team added even more firepower, bringing on Gaddafi and Nengo to push for the win. The intention was clear: Obaba were not settling for a draw. Nengo was electric from the moment he stepped on the pitch, demanding the ball, driving forward, and sending a loud message to the coaches “I deserve a starting lineup.” His impact was one of the standout moments of the match, lifting the team’s momentum and igniting belief across the pitch.
Another massive highlight was the return of Chicken. After being absent for some time, he delivered one of his best performances, owning the entire right side with tireless running, sharp defending, and fearless attacking. He reminded everyone exactly what we’ve been missing, bringing balance, energy, and maturity to that flank. Had we won, he would have been a strong contender for Man of the Match, because his display was nothing short of inspirational and one of the standout performances of the day.
This match was a clear indication that Obaba intend to carry the momentum built in June straight into the new month. The hunger is visible, the commitment is real, and the belief within the camp continues to grow. Credit goes to the players who put in the work during the week and at Saturday’s training session, the effort behind the scenes is showing on the pitch. We even saw old faces returning to training, adding depth, competition, and quality to the squad. The Technical Team will have more selection headaches in the coming weeks, and that’s the kind of problem every ambitious club wants.
The draw keeps us in 4th position, but importantly, Diepkloof All Stars were knocked off the top spot, exactly as we told them during the week’s banter: “After our match, there will be a new number one.” We kept that promise. Of course, we were aiming to claim the throne ourselves, but the fight continues, and we have shown they are right in the mix, pushing, believing, and refusing to back down
Assistant Coach Bouga was very frank about the result, admitting that it felt like a loss because Obaba had more than enough chances to wrap up the match. The missed opportunities stung, and he didn’t shy away from saying so. But he also made it clear that he would take the point, especially considering the character the boys showed. Coming from 1–0 down against the log leaders, on their home turf, and fighting back to secure a draw speaks volumes about the team’s resilience. It wasn’t the win we wanted, but it was a reminder of Obaba’s spirit, hunger, and refusal to fold under pressure.
This weekend, we return home for a crucial clash against 1852 Masters football, who sit 10th on the log with 18 points from 6 wins, 8 losses, and no draws. History favours Obaba, in our two previous meetings, Fathers won both encounters, scoring seven goals and keeping two clean sheets. We expect nothing less this Sunday as we close off the first round. The highest we can climb is second place, and we are fully aware of what’s at stake.
fter this round, the league transitions into the prestigious Soweto Masters Super League Top 16 tournament, a title we will be defending with pride. Last year, Obaba conquered the competition, defeating Spirit Namanje 4–2 in the final to become 2025 Champions. The official draw for this year’s Top 16 is scheduled for 11 July 2026.
To our Fathers family, thank you for your unwavering support, your voices, your presence, and the spirit you carry into every matchday. This Sunday, we do it again at home.
Obaba Babo
