Posted in News on Jul 09, 2004.
Chiefs, sporting new signings in the form of midfielders Emmanuel ‘Scara’ Ngobese, Gert Schalkwyk, David Mathebula, Paballo Mngomezulu, Siphiwe Mbambo and defender Siphiwe Mkhonza, will look to make TP Mazembe goalkeeper Kidiaba Muteba the busiest man on the field, when the two sides meet in the opening Vodacom Challenge match of the day at 12h30.
Three-time Vodacom Challenge winners, Chiefs, will be hoping to receive a major boost to their strike-force shortly before match-day should their lethal Zambian striker Collins Mbesuma return from his country in time for the action.
Pirates, winners of the inaugural Vodacom Challenge title in 1999, face up to Vodacom Challenge newcomers ASV Club in the second semifinal at the Mmabatho stadium on Sunday (15h30 kickoff). Pirates will be hoping to receive a major boost through the performance of their latest signing, striker Daniel ‘Oompie’ Mabitsela, who hails from the Vaal, while goalkeeper Sandile Hlahane has been promoted from the club’s development ranks.
The Mighty Bucs will be without their new signings from Nigeria who are currently in Nigeria, who are with their previous team Enyimba in the Caf Champions League in the Ivory Coast, but both players are expected to represent Pirates in the second leg of the Vodacom Challenge at Soccer City on Saturday, July 17.
The Bhakaniyas rearguard will be weary of keeping a tight reign on the visitor’s goal scoring machine Lutula Eale, who is expected to be well supported by Dieudo Kalulika.
With a winner’s cheque of R1000 000 set to be a source of extra motivation to the four sides in their bid for 2004 Vodacom Challenge glory, the runners-up will take home R500 000, and the third and fourth placed teams collecting R300 000 and R200 000 respectively, making the Vodacom Challenge into an extremely lucrative competition on the African football scene.
A lucky fan from Chiefs, and a supporter of Pirates, will have the opportunity of driving away from the 2004 Vodacom Challenge in style, with two Nissan B140 bakkies up for grabs.
By sending the words ‘Uyeza Umoya’ via SMS to the competition number 32811, and answering an easy question, fans of the beautiful game will be able to stand a chance of being a winner of one of these fabulous vehicles.
Tickets for the Mmabatho leg of the 2004 Vodacom Challenge, are on sale at Computicket outlets at R30 each, and will be on sale at key sales points on the outskirts of the Mmabatho stadium until 12h00 on match-day.
The Mmabatho stadium gates open at 07h30 on Sunday.
