Although Bayern Munich are undoubtedly Germany’s most recognized football club, it is a more modest team from northern Germany that enjoys popular support amongst South African football fans in the Kwaquga township on the outskirts of Emalahleni, some 130 kilometres east of Johannesburg. Watching the Vutha All Stars play on a dusty township field, it is obvious why that is the case as the 11 youngsters taking on their township opponents are all wearing the red, white and black of Bundesliga club Hannover.
“Yes, we are all Hannover fans now,” Vutha Mahlangu, the 17-year-old founder and coach of the team, explains to FIFA.com. The brave youngster, who suffers from epilepsy and was born with a severe back disability caused by a curved spine, is the reason why his team proudly wears the Hannover kit.