Even though his favourite team Kaizer Chiefs lostâ falling behind on the Absa Premiership raceâ Matthew von Meyer nonetheless left Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday night a winner.
Von Meyer proposed to his girlfriend of eight yearsâ Natasha Malgasâ at halftime in the 3-2 loss to Cape Town Cityâ and she said yes.
“I started planning this early this yearâ” Von Meyer said.
“I spoke to her parents first and got their blessings.
"They told me I should be careful that she doesn’t faint.
"I chose to do it at the stadium because we are football fanatics and we both support Chiefs.
"We attend all the games in Cape Town and some around South Africa whenever we can.
"She had no idea I was planning to do this.”
Von Meyerâ who was born in Umtataâ e-mailed Cape Town City with a request to propose to Malgas at halftime.
The club agreed and so did the Premier Soccer League after the Citizens made the request to them.
KFM DJ Ryan O’Connor joined in to serve as the “MC” of the proposal.
Malgas was called to the pitch under the guise that she had won a prize.
“I still don’t know how he kept this from meâ” Malgas said.
“I am such a planner that I have to know what’s happening when and where.
"To be surprised like this was overwhelming.
"Every girl dreams of a fairy-tale proposal that she will never forget.
"But in most cases it remains a dream. He made that a reality for me.
"I was speechless when he went down on one knee.
"I froze. Even now it hasn’t sunk in. I have always been a sport fan.
"We both support Chiefs and a cousin of mine used to play for them.”
In the early stages of their relationshipâ which started eight years ago after they met at University of the Western Capeâ Malgas tried to win the remote battle when Chiefs were playing.
“I told him to be more considerateâ that we must share the hours and watch TV equally.
"But I realised that I will never win when Chiefs was are playing. I have accepted thatâ” Malgas said.
“When Chiefs is onâ there is no competition.”
Chiefs’ haven’t given Von Meyerâ Malgas and other supporters much to celebrate about this season.
Their loss to the Citizens on Wednesday night moved them closer to finishing two trophy-less seasons.
Ordinarily the drive from the stadium after such a loss would have been sombre. But this time around it wasn’t.
“We actually stayed for some time after the game taking it all inâ” Von Meyer said.
“There were a couple of our friends there. I invited some of her friends so that they will be there to celebrate with us. I wanted to make this moment special.
"At first there was silence in the car when it was just the two of us. She then asked me how I did it and why.
"It was difficult to watch the second half after she said yes but we did. Chiefs might have lost but I won.”
Source: sowetanlive.co.za