MTN
South Africa today reaffirmed its long-standing investment in local football
when it announced the renewal of its sponsorship agreement with the Premier
Soccer League (PSL) as the headline sponsor of the MTN8 competition, which has
extended for three more years until 2014.
The
much-anticipated tournament will see the top eight teams from last season
commence battle to claim the R8 million – winner takes all prize – on the
weekend of 03 August 2012. In keeping with the competition rules from the past
season’s tournament, the PSL has confirmed that the top four teams from last
season have secured home ground advantage in the quarterfinal stages.
“It
is crisp, competitive and most of all, it is engaging. It is a season’s opener
high on talk time. Cup competitions don’t come better than MTN8. Like a catwalk
is to fashion revelation, MTN8 provides a platform and opportunity for
supporters and fans to see the revelation of players for the new season.”
commented PSL Chairman, Dr. Irvin Khoza.
The
tournament, best described by its payoff line: ‘WAFA WAFA -Winner takes all’,
is the richest Cup competition on the continent which features the top 8 teams
from the previous season’s Premier Division league action. MTN8 has gained
popularity with the Last Fan Standing (LFS) competition, a franchise that has
become a feature landscape for South African football fans during the
tournament.
In
announcing the decision, MTN SA’s Chief Marketing Officer, Serame Taukobong,
said: “After a successful and mutually beneficial partnership over the past
four years with the PSL, which has benefited local football and invested in
numerous social upliftment projects, amongst a number of notable achievements,
we saw it befitting that we continue to invest in local football development in
the country and while connecting fans with their passion for the beautiful
game through epic football tales and
unique competitions.”
Reigning
MTN8 champions, Orlando Pirates, will host the opening quarterfinal match
against Bloemfontein Celtic on Friday, 03 August 2012 at the Orlando Stadium at
20h00. The following day SuperSport United host Free State Stars at the Peter
Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane at 15h00.
Sunday
will see two thrilling encounters when Moroka Swallows welcome AmaZulu in
Dobsonville at 15h00. Mamelodi Sundowns will square up against Kaizer Chiefs at
the Loftus Stadium in a 15h00 kickoff.
“We
look forward to celebrating many more milestones during this tenure and would
like to thank the PSL for entrusting us with the custodianship of this exciting
knockout cup competition,” concluded Taukobong.
