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SuperSport threw what has to have been the largest party of the year so far (after the ANC’s January 8 celebrations of course) last Saturday night.
It also boasted more celebrities, with performances by stars of the moment Lira, Babes Wodumo and AKA, and others the older audience members could appreciate.
The broadcaster booked the Sandton Convention Centre for the black-tie gala event to celebrate the 10th year of its relationship with the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
More than 700 guests – including footballers, coaches, politicians and celebrities – turned up dressed mostly in black suits.
The proportion of women attendees was not much to write home about, but those who did pitch looked quite gorgeous.
But more gorgeous by far were hosts and presenters Robert Marawa and Carol Tshabalala, who have become ubiquitous features at every football occasion.
This was no different as they hosted the event alongside delectable new SuperSport presenter Minnie Dlamini.
Dlamini looked stunning in a red lace overlay gown, on heels so high she had to be helped to step on and off the podium by a production crew member.
Also gorgeous was Tshabalala who looked like a boss in a blue gown.
Speaking of ample assets, bootylicious Marawa, Pearl Thusi’s bae, looked as though the settled life has gone to his waistline. His chest has ... er ... slipped a bit.
Because the event was broadcast live on Mzansi Magic SuperSport4, time was strictly coordinated and guests had to be seated an hour and a half before it started.
We were served starters of chicken in prosciutto and a magnificent main course of lamb shank, in quick succession before the proceedings started at 8pm.
Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula is unlikely to miss any event where there is a TV camera around, so he flew in from Durban, then Cape Town and straight to Johannesburg for the show.
He lent some humour to the event, ridiculing the uptight guests for being unable to show their appreciation of Babes Wodumo, who performed alongside Big Nuz on the night.
“Some of you might be seeing her for the first time. That was Babes Wodumo, ladies and gentlemen,” he said.
He also subtweeted Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema, saying that as ANC Youth League president at the time the SuperSport deal was signed with the PSL, Malema opposed it and was guilty of misguided populism.
The architects of the deal, PSL chairman Irvin Khoza and Naspers Video Entertainment CEO Imtiaz Patel were on hand to tell us amusing stories about how they overcame the odds to give us Superdiski.
Older attendees lapped up the performances of Mdu and Trompies, who disappointingly performed only one song each.
Some interesting guests included ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa, who, alongside Mbalula, United Democratic Front leader Bantu Holomisa, football legends Lucas Radebe and Benni McCarthy, coaches Pitso Mosimane, Stuart Baxter and new Ajax Cape Town coach Stanley Menzo, also graced the event.
SuperSport sure knows how to throw a party.
