Posted in News on Jul 21, 2005.
The runners-up will collect R500 000 in prize-money, while 2004 Vodacom Challenge winners A.S. Vita Club from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambian newcomers, Green Buffaloes FC, will play of at 12h15 on Sunday for a third prize of R300 000, with the fourth placed club taking home R200 000.
The last tickets for the 37 000 capacity Absa Stadium in Durban, were sold out in record time at Computicket outlets before midday on Tuesday, following the "Vodacom Mania" action at the Mmabatho Stadium, Mafikeng over the weekend, where a capacity record attendance crowd of 55 000 fans witnessed Chiefs drawing 1-1 against A.S Vita Club, before running out winners on a penalty shoot out, while a spectacular free kick by Steve Lekoelea, saw Pirates book their place in the final at the expense of Green Buffaloes.
With the first 8000 fans to arrive at the Absa Stadium set to each receive a Vodacom airtime voucher valued at R29, courtesy of the tournament sponsors Vodacom, all roads lead to Durban for Sunday’s action – but only if you are in possession of a ticket.
Vodacom Challenge Committee officials have called on fans that are not in possession of tickets, not to come to the stadium, but to cheer on their favourite team and to enjoy the Vodacom Challenge action via live television or radio coverage on SABC Sport.
Vodacom Group, Chief Communications Officer, Mthobi Tyamzashe said that Vodacom is delighted at the fact that the Vodacom Challenge second leg will be played in the soccer friendly city of Durban, and thanked the Ethekweni council for their efforts.
“With the tickets for the Vodacom Challenge second leg matches in Durban, having sold out five days prior to match day it is clear that the Vodacom Challenge committee took the correct decision in scheduling the Vodacom Challenge second leg matches back to Durban after a 24-month absence,” said Tyamzashe.
Orlando Pirates chairman Dr Irvin Khoza said that while the country’s football fans are already celebrating the fact that the Kudu Horn trophy will spend the next 12 months in SA, the Pirates players will be keen to win the 2005 Vodacom Challenge to mark the 10th anniversary of winning the African Cup trophy in 1995 – to date the only SA club to achieve this honour.
“A Pirates victory over Chiefs in Sunday’s Vodacom Challenge final will be the perfect pre-season start for coach Kosta Papic and the players as we look to go all out in search of silverware during the 2005/2006 domestic season in SA,” said Dr Khoza.
Chiefs chairman and MD Kaizer Motaung said that the Amakhosi players, under the guidance of new head coach Ernst Middendorp, will be looking to continue the run of success which saw them to three Vodacom Challenge title wins in the seven year history of the tournament and PSL triumphs for the past two seasons.
“SA will come to a standstill when Chiefs and Pirates play against each other in this exciting final of the Vodacom Challenge to be staged in the proud city of Durban, and with the Kudu Horn and R1 million in prize money at stake, I am sure that both teams will be out to entertain the crowds as they strive to secure the Kudu Horn trophy for their club and loyal supporters,” said Motaung.
Vodacom will be rewarding loyal supporters by offering them a chance to win one of eleven Nissan 1400 bakkies. Supporters have an opportunity to test their knowledge, all they have to do is SMS “Vodacom Challenge” to 33450. They will then receive a Vodacom Challenge related question and if they answer correctly, they stand a chance of driving away in style.
The recently-launched economical brand called ZOK (representing the ZCC church and Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs) will also be giving away a Nissan 1400 bakkie to a lucky supporter who purchased a ZOK starter pack and activated the product before the Vodacom Challenge final.
ZOK starter packs will be on sale at R10 each at the stadium on match day.
