| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Vaal Professionals Football Club |
| Nickname | Vaal Monsters, Setla! |
| Founded | Early 1970s |
| Location | Sebokeng, Vaal Triangle, Gauteng, South Africa |
| Stadiums | George Thabe Stadium, Kwa-Masiza Stadium, Zamdela Stadium |
| Known For | 1986 NPSL Champions, fierce community support, development focus |
| Status | Disbanded in late 1990s, revived multiple times in lower leagues |
| Legacy | Pioneer of township football professionalism, symbolic of grassroots pride |
🔴 1. Origins: Forged from Township Roots
Vaal Professionals FC, affectionately called “Setla!”, began as a community-rooted club emerging from X20 FC, a local team in Sharpeville. The Lehoko family, including future coach and legend Simon “Bull” Lehoko, was central in shaping its identity. With talent sourced directly from the townships of the Vaal Triangle, the club was one of the first to turn grassroots passion into professional excellence.
🔴 2. Climbing the Ranks – From Township Team to National Force
During the 1970s and early 1980s, Vaal Pros steadily built a competitive side, eventually joining the NPSL (National Professional Soccer League) and later the NSL (National Soccer League). Under the coaching of Simon Lehoko and alongside club legends, the Vaal Monsters began to roar.
Some of the Players During the Rise:
- Augustine and Chippa Makalakalane
- Kenneth “Conti” Kubheka
- Petros “Mzuzu” Maleka
- Satch Modise, Bricks Mbele
- Andrew “Malome” Phiri
- Patrick Louw, Meshack Zwane
- Robson “Koi Yoko” Seakamela
🔴 3. Peak of Power – 1986 Champions
🏆 1986 NPSL Championship
Vaal Pros’ crowning moment came in 1986 when they were crowned NPSL Champions, marking them as one of the most formidable sides in South Africa.
Other Highlights:
- Regular Top 4 finishes in late 1980s and early 1990s
- BobSave Super Bowl Champions in 1994, defeating QwaQwa Stars 1–0 in the final at FNB Stadium
- Reached multiple BP Top 8 and Mainstay/JPS Cup finals
- Became the first South African club to participate in the Mandela Cup (CAF Cup Winners’ Cup) in 1995
🔴 4. Playing Style & Fan Culture – Football Meets Fire
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Playing Style | Tough, physical, defensively strong with bursts of township flair |
| Stadiums | George Thabe, Kwa-Masiza, and Zamdela — all fortress-like home grounds |
| Fan Base | Fierce, loyal supporters from Sebokeng, Sharpeville, Vereeniging |
| Rivalries | Known for fierce matches against Chiefs, Pirates, and Sundowns |
“When we played at George Thabe, even big teams used to jump the fences to avoid the ‘muti’ outside the change rooms,” – Simon “Bull” Lehoko
🔴 5. Decline and Political Intrigue (1995–2000)
Despite on-field success, football politics, bribery scandals, lack of prize money, and ownership disputes slowly dismantled the club:
- Denied promised top-flight place in the NSL in 1988 despite NPSL dominance
- Faced multiple alleged match-fixing and unfair arbitration allegations
Leadership Crisis:
- Simon Lehoko tried to stabilize the club but was overruled by the board
- George Thabe appointed chairman during the ownership fallout
- This marked the end of the original Vaal Pros era
🔴 6. Revival Attempts – Holding onto the Legacy
Despite their exit from the PSL, Vaal Professionals’ brand refused to die. The club resurfaced in lower leagues, fighting to restore its legacy.
Revival Milestones:
- 2000s–2010s: Operated in the ABC Motsepe League under various ownerships
- 2019: SAFA nullified an 11–1 defeat to JDR Stars amid match-fixing concerns
- 2023: Chief Ally Kgomongwe (Mbabane Highlanders) purchased Vaal Pros’ status for R1,2 million and vowed to revive the brand in Gauteng
🔴 7. Community Impact: Soccer Legends & Youth Development
The Soccer Legends Programme, launched by Richard “Bricks” Mokolo, helped turn former Vaal Pros players into life coaches and community leaders.
Life After Football:
- Alumni like Man Direro and Bricks Mokolo now teach life skills and football to township youth
- The programme empowers both former players and the community
- Partnered with schools like Jet Nteo and Mohloli to win Motsepe Cup school tournaments
🔴 8. Honours and Achievements
| Competition | Titles | Notable Years |
|---|---|---|
| NPSL League | 1 | 1986 |
| BobSave Super Bowl | 1 | 1994 |
| Mandela Cup (CAF) | 1st SA team | 1995 |
| BP Top 8 / JPS Cups | Finalists | Late 80s–90s |
| Youth Development | Multiple stars | 1980s–1990s |
🔴 9. Legacy Table
| Legacy Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Biggest Achievement | 1986 NPSL Champions |
| Most Notable Player | Augustine Makalakalane – part of Bafana Bafana’s 1996 AFCON-winning squad |
| Community Impact | First township club to dominate professionally; a symbol of working-class pride |
| Known For | Hard-tackling football, intimidating home grounds, and strong resistance to politics |
| Current Status | Competing in ABC Motsepe League under new ownership (2023) |
🔴 10. Final Word: Setla Lives On
“This club launched my career. It was the pride of Vaal. SA football is not the same without Vaal Professionals.” – Augustine Makalakalane
Vaal Professionals FC may no longer grace the PSL, but their name continues to resonate across South African football. More than a club, they were a symbol of pride, resilience, and community strength. With renewed efforts to restore the brand, many still hope to one day see the Vaal Monsters return to the big stage.
