2012 Carling Black Label Cup Surpasses All Expectations

The 2012 Carling Black Label Cup addedanother chapter to South African football history, breaking records and providing unforgettable memories for Champions Coaches across South Africa.

Orlando Pirates retained the title they won in the inaugural event in 2011, defeating Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs 5-4 on penalties after the teams had played to a thrilling 1-1 draw. The match was played in front of a record crowd of 92 702 at Soccer City, a great testament to the passion and popularity of South African football.

The spectacle provided a superb start to the 2012/13 Premier Soccer League season, with the involvement of the fans at record levels as they demonstratedtheir eagerness to ‘Be the Champion Coach’.

Over 20-million votes were cast for the starting line-ups of both teams; double that of 2011.The match itself was exhilarating as Kaizer Chiefs took an early lead with Abia Nale handed a rare start for the Amakhosi, as a result of Carling Black Label consumer involvement in the game.

It looked as though the Naturena side would hold on to their advantage until BenniMcCarthy sent the game into a penalty shoot-out deep into injury time.

It was the Buccaneers who held their nerve to outlast Kaizer Chiefs 5-4, with Ndumiso Mabena netting the vital kick.

Although the day was really about the consumer coaches and their selections, Stuart Baxter of Kaizer Chiefs and Augusto Palacios from Orlando Pirates said they were impressed with the choices made and delighted with how the match had gone.

“When we returned for pre-season, I told my players to forget about winning the treble and that we needed to start afresh and focus on the next trophy.

“We want to win everything and this is the perfect start. We had a strong team out there that was chosen by our fans, and players like Sifiso Myeni and Mark Mayambela had a chance to show that they deserve to wear the Pirates shirt.

“For us it was very good preparation for the new season and for the fans it was a very good day out that I believe they enjoyed,” Palacios said.

His oppositionnumber at Chiefs, Baxter, was also pleased that some of the players who did not get to see regular action last season got a run-out in such a prestigious match.

“I think there was a lot of pride between the two teams. I was pleased to see that.. If you look at the starting XI, there were a couple of choices made by the supporters who had an opportunity to showcase their talent. Abia Nale did well, especially offensively. Tefu Mashamaite settled in well. They obviously staked a claim for a more regular starting position and in a sense raised their shares, if I can put it that way, Baxter said.”

One interesting aspect of the evening was the decision of the consumer coaches to replace both goalkeepers just past the 50-minute mark.This substitution was audited by Grant Thornton.

Fans had spent the first half of the game voting for who they would like removed from the game and decided that Itumeleng Khune of Kaizer Chiefs and Moneeeb Josephs of Orlando Pirates would come off.

It was a smart move in that both players are virtually guaranteed a starting position in the new season and the supporters are well aware of their attributes. It made more sense for the fans to leave the outfield players on the pitch to give them more game-time ahead of the new campaign.

It was also a wonderful night out for Kaizer Chiefs fan Wilson Mbatha and Orlando Pirates supporter Lazarus Moeng, who got to sit in the respective dug-outs of their team.

These two lucky supporters had spent time with the teams in the build-up to the match. Once the action was underway, they were active in sending out messages from the bench, adding to the consumer involvement in the game.

“The 2012 Carling Black Label Cup was a stunning success, both on and off the field, and has laid a platform for even greater things next year. “Records galore, glitz and glamour on the night, it was a Champion experience from all involved with the Champion beer and the Carling Black Label Cup,” Andrea Quaye, General Manager of Carling Black Label said.

The culmination of the campaign will be the Coach the Coaches workshop conducted by the former Bafana Bafana tactician, Pitso Mosimane scheduled for the first week of September in Johannesburg.  Further details will be provided in due course.