The Vodacom Challenge will celebrate its 10th anniversary in style when Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs look to end the English dominance of the popular international football tournament.Barclays English Premiership club Manchester City will join the race for the trophy honours. Following the title successes of English clubs Tottenham Hotspur (2007) and Manchester United (2008), the Soweto giants will be out to ensure that the Vodacom Challenge trophy spends the next 12 months in Gauteng.
The tournament’s history gives a clear indication that the pre-season football event that has grown from its African roots to become a much anticipated fixture on the football calendar.
With Orlando Pirates (1999 and 2005), Kaizer Chiefs (2000, 2001, 2003 and 2006), the Democratic Republic of Congo clubs in St Eloi Lupopo (2002) and AS Vita (2004), Tottenham Hotspur (2007) and Manchester United (2008) all having lifted the Vodacom Challenge title, the hunt for goals is expected to reach new heights as the teams race to land the coveted title during the magical 10th anniversary of the event.
Newsflash - Kaizer Chiefs have warmed up for the 2009 Vodacom Challenge by beating top opposition in the Eastern Cape Premier Cup on Saturday.
The Amakhosi, having a first run-out under new Serbian coach Vladimir Vermezovic, beat Bay United in the semi finals, before ousting League champions SuperSport United in the title decider.
Chiefs eased past home-town Bay United 2-0 thanks to goals from Zimbabwean new-boy Knowledge Musona and veteran striker Nkosinathi Nhleko.
That set up a final meeting with SuperSport, who were looking to go one better than their runners-up spot in the competition last year. Thanks to a brilliant performance by the Amakhosi they had to make do with silver again.
Mandla Masango crossed for George Lebese to tap home the first goal for Chiefs, before Siyabonga Nkosi equalised for Matsatsantsa in the second half.
There were a host of chances at either end before Vermezovic’s side found the winner after a deft chip from Josta Dladla over the advancing Denis Onyango in the United goal.
Chiefs' first match of the 2009 Vodacom Challenge is against Manchester City at Durban's Absa Stadium on Tuesday, 21 July.
source: www.vodacomchallenge.com
+ comments + 2 comments
"Micheal Jackson Vodacom Challenge"
Let us dedicate this years game to the King of Pop the one and only Bro Mike. What a remarkable artist he was and will all miss him, no doubt I was counting on him 2010. His been to South Africa many atimes and I thought he had a house out there. Perhaps some creative minds can come up with some dress codes so we can be in uniform but in his university.
Lets just thriller and beat this team coming into our den.
Dudu
HAMBA KAHLE PRETTY BOY
Sizo funa umuntu wethu umuntu wethu umuntu wethu.
Sizo funa umuntu wethu umuntu wethu umuntu wethu namhlanje.
nizo funa ubanilo ubanilo
nizo funa ubanila ubanilo
nizo funa ubanilo ubanilo namhlanje?
Sizo funa u Michael Jackson, u Micheal Jackson u Micheal Jason namhlanje.
nizo mthumela ngo bani lo ngo bani lo ngo bani lo nizo mthumela ngo bani lo ngo bani lo namhlanje?
Sizo mthumela ngo Wacho Jacko Wacko Jacko Wacko Jacko. Sizo mthumela ngo Wacho Jacko Wacho Jacko Wacho Jacko namhlanje.
HaMbA KaHlE hAnDsOmE wAcKo JaCkO mIcHeAl JaCkSoN wAcKo JaCkO. ubUyE nAyE iNyAmA yE nKuKu SeRuPi Sa GuGu.
SiZo DlAlA i BoLa lEtHu i BoLa LeThU nAmHlAnJe. SiZO Wa DuGuZa aMa ViSiToRs nAmHlAnJe.
Robala ka khotso mohlanka wa ha Jackson.
Dipuku tsa Afrika Borwa