Issued by: Ministry of Sport and Recreation
24 February 1998
The Coach, Jomo The Captain, Lucas The Management and The Technical Staff
It is my exceptional pleasure and privilege on behalf of the Government and the entire nation to congratulate you and the team on your resounding victory on Sunday.
You acquitted yourselves very well as you demanded and got your victory against a worthy and formidable opponent in a bid to secure a slot in the semi-finals.
I am writing to remind you that Sunday's encounter was just one battle ahead of two more which must be won to wind up this war. You, therefore, do not have the pleasure to relax and be complacent. Now is the moment for you to work even harder to ensure the sanctity of your goal-mouth and the vulnerability of the opponent's.
Like I said to you on the occasion of your farewell dinner, discipline and team spirit are your passwords to the finals.
I would have liked to be with you on Wednesday to give you yet one more cheer at close quarters, but the rugby court case has dashed to the ground an opportunity that I would have relished for a long time.
In the meantime rest assured that the entire nation is rallied behind a gallant team that has earned itself a soft spot in our hearts and that has become, once more, the apple of our eye.
Abasazi. Basizwa ngendaba! Kubo! Kufa ayayo, makwedini!
S TSHWETE MINISTER