Kaizer
Chiefs defeated Orlando Pirates 1-0 in the clash of the Soweto giants in front
of a capacity crowd at FNB Stadium, with the lone goal from Lehlohonolo Majoro
handing them their first Carling Black Label Cup victory.
The
starting XI of each team for the match
was chosen over a period of months by supporters of the two clubs, who cast a
combined total of 22.2-million, a new
record for number of votes cast in the three-year history of the campaign.
Both coaches; Stuart Baxter of Kaizer Chiefs
and Roger de Sa from Orlando Pirates, applauded the selection of their fans,
suggesting their own selections would have been very close to the starting
line-ups selected by the fans. This speaks volumes about the knowledge and
skill of the Champion Coaches around the country, who have an increased
understanding of what it takes to get the best out of their side.
For
this year’s substitution, the fans were afforded an opportunity to vote for the
player they would like to introduce onto the field of play, as opposed to
off. Knowledge Musona getting the nod
from AmaKhosi supporters and Daine Klate selected by Buccaneers fans.
It
was a special day out for the two Consumer Coaches, chosen out of the millions
that voted during the campaign. They had a once in a lifetime opportunity to
spend match day with their beloved teams, including spending time with the teams
as they went through their pre-match preparations, team meetings and sitting on
the bench during the game.
Life-long
AmaKhosi fan Teboho Letube, 24, from Orlando West spent the day with Chiefs,
while Khotso Mfati, 31, from Pretoria was the Consumer Coach for Pirates.
Tickets
for the showpiece fixture at the country’s national stadium were sold out three
weeks prior to the game and flew into the hands of fans in a matter of just
days, indicative of the increased popularity of the Carling Black Label Cup
as
one of the great spectacles in South African football.
“We
have been amazed about how South African football fans have taken the Carling
Black Label Cup to heart over the past three years and this year was our
greatest engagement yet,” said Vijay Govindsamy, General Manager Carling Black
Label.
“Supporters
have shown all over the country the seriousness with which they take their role
as Champion Coaches and we have been delighted to once again be able to give
them the opportunity to live out their dreams. The match itself was another
great spectacle for South African football and we would like to extend our
appreciation to the teams, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, for their
participation once again this year,” he continued.
