As the first week of voting neared its end, Kaizer Chiefs were still in contention to win a place in the annual Telkom Charity Spectacular, which will be played at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on the 5th August.

Amakhosi’s archrivals Orlando Pirates,who missed out on last season’s event lead the polls for much of the first week and were the first team to pass the five thousand votes mark.

Chiefs reached the five thousand votes point some time Friday; miraculously Black Leopards overtook Amakhosi and Pirates over the weekend. Until the end of the working day on Friday the Limpopo outfit had amassed under a thousand votes but by Monday morning were leading the polls with close to 8 000 votes.

The voting is closing on the 28th July - there is more than enough time for Amakhosi to improve on their current position. Since the introduction of the Charity tournament in 1986 when it was still known as the Iwisa Charity Spectacular and with its name change in 1999 to the Telkom Charity Cup, Chiefs have participated in all twenty one tournaments held thus far.

The Amakhosi have also won the Telkom Charity spectacular on more occasions than any other team, running out winners on ten occasions and have been runners six times. This year’s event is important to Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp, who is of the opinion that winning the Telkom Charity Cup will give Chiefs a psychological edge over the opposition, ahead of the resumption of the 2006 – 2007 season.

Do remember to vote for Chiefs by dialling 086 22 33 708 or SMS the words ‘Kaizer Chiefs’ to 34702 to help Chiefs qualify for the August 5th Telkom Charity Cup.