Kaizer
Chiefs fan Wilson Mbatha and Orlando Pirates supporter Lazarus Moeng have been
named as the 2012 Carling Black Label Cup Consumer Coaches after they came out
top in a nationwide competition to select the most knowledgeable and passionate
fans of the Soweto giants. These two consumer coaches are set to lead their
teams to victory on Saturday, 28 July 2012 at Soccer City, Johannesburg.
Mbatha
and Moeng were amongst 1,09-million South Africans who cast their votes for the
starting line-ups of Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates ahead of the prestigious
Soweto Derby.
The
pair’s prize will see them join their favourite team for training ahead of the
game, sit in the pre-match briefing and take in the action from the dug-out of
their respective sides.
The
duo made a short-list of consumers who were put through a number of rigorous
tests at the SAB World of Beer, Johannesburg to see if they have what it takes
to be the 2012 Consumer Coaches.
This
included a quiz on their beloved clubs, a taste challenge to see if they could
identify the Champion beer, Carling Black Label, and one-on-one interviews with
Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates representatives.
Mbatha
and Moeng emerged from this process victorious and have gained an
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the tension of a Soweto Derby from
within the two camps.
“I
am delighted with this opportunity, I cannot wait to interact with my players,”
says Mbatha, who hails from Thokoza. “It’s a pity that Siphiwe Tshabalala will
not be able to play because of his injury, but we have a lot of great players
in our squad and I know that we will win on the day.
“I
cannot wait to share this experience with my entire community and it is a great
honour for me to attend this event as part of the Kaizer Chiefs team.”
Pirates
fan Moeng, a father of two from Brakpan, says the 2012 Carling Black Label Cup
will be a culmination of a dream for him.
“I
am over the moon! We will definitely defend our trophy as champions and I look
forward to being part of that,” he says. “I have received great support from my
community as the people feel that I am representing their aspirations. I am
doing this not just for myself, but for them as well, to show what is
possible.”
Orlando
Pirates won the inaugural Carling Black Label Cup in 2011 when they defeated
Kaizer Chiefs 4-3 on penalties after the teams had played to a 0-0 draw.
The
second year of the Carling Black Label Cup has seen a massive increase in the
number of fans who have cast their vote for the starting line-ups of the Soweto
giants, with over20-million entries received, up from 11-million the previous
year.
The
Consumer Coaches and everybody watching the game still have a big role to play
though as the supporters will decide which players are substituted first on
either side by voting during the first half of the game.
They
can do this by dialing the toll free number *130*376# and selecting the team
they wish to choose a player to substitute from (two entries per
supporter).They will then be asked to choose the position of the player –
Goalkeeper, Defender, Midfielder or Striker – and then the actual person they
wish to remove from the game.
The
first substitution for each team will be made at the 50-minute mark, with the
players to come in and out of the game to be decided by the regular coaches
after that – Augusto Palacios for Orlando Pirates and Stuart Baxter for Kaizer
Chiefs.
