If the launch of the new Telkom Cup is a pre-cursor of the football to be expected when the tournament proper gets underway later this month, then fans are sure to be in for an exciting few months of entertainment.

News of Telkom’s take over of the now defunct Coca Cola Cup was made public in late August, on Monday evening the telecommunications company signaled their arrival on the local soccer scene with an extravagant launch in Johannesburg. The launch of the new tournament began with a bang, as guests were treated to a fire works show which can only be described as spectacular.

Once the important business got underway it became evident that the new Telkom will set unprecedented standards in prize money, numbers never before played for in South African Football.

As all the participating teams will receive a R250 000 appearance fee, with the winning team walking home with a whopping R4000 000, in addition there will also be individual prizes rewarding players and teams for their individual and collective brilliance.

Speaking at the launch held at the recently refurbished Wanderers Club in Illovo Johannesburg Telkom CEO Papi Molotsane, was confident that the new competition will help raise the level of the game in South Africa with the effects of which being felt at the national team level.

Said Molotsane “By presenting teams, and individuals with the opportunity of taking home various incentives and bonuses; we hope that this will raise the bar in terms of standard of play. By so doing it will have a roll on effect and create much needed competition for players competing to play in the national team”.

PSL CEO Trevor Phillips always one to make sponsors happy added “we have had a great relationship working with Telkom over the past seven years through their sponsorship of the Telkom Charity Cup. Telkom have given us with this new sponsorship the right kind of cash injection that the local game was in need of”.

Once the pleasantries were out of the way the draw was conducted to see who would be facing off with who when the tournament kicks off on the 28th October, as The Amakhosi were drawn to face off with Wits University in the round of sixteen. Chiefs last faced the Students in a Cup in the 2005 ABSA Cup Round of 32, when Wits triumphed 4-3 via the penalty shoot out after the teams were deadlocked after extra time.

Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp was excited by the news, that his team will be facing the Clever Boys first up in the competition as he commented.

“Having lost to them a few weeks ago, it is nice to be afforded with the opportunity of being able to play them in a winner takes all cup game, which is a completely different scenario to a league match.

Our aim this season is to win as many trophies as possible, and with the type of incentives up for grabs in the Telkom Cup who would not want to do well in this tournament”.