Posted in News on Jul 12, 2006.
A capacity crowd is expected to fill the Absa Stadium in Durban, for Manchester United’s opening fixture against defending champions Orlando Pirates on Saturday, 15 July (15h15 kickoff), before the Red Devils take on three-time title winners Kaizer Chiefs at the Newlands Stadium, in Cape Town on Tuesday, 18 July (20h15 kickoff).
The Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg will host the Vodacom Challenge Derby on Thursday, 20 July (20h15 kickoff) with the winner of the Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs showdown, taking on Manchester United in the Vodacom Challenge showpiece final, at the Loftus Stadium, Pretoria on Saturday, 22 July (15h15 kickoff).
Add in the talents of England international defender Wes Brown and the exciting skills of Kieran Richardson, who made his name as an England international midfielder before being converted to fill the Red Devils defensive pattern as a left back, and it is clear that Manchester United mean business as they strive to return to home with the coveted Vodacom Challenge title.
The Manchester United strike-force will be boosted by the pre-season guest appearance of Chinese international Fangzhuo Dong from Royal Antwerp, who along with Solskjaer (and Rossi), will look to get among the goals for the Old Trafford-based club.
Manchester United team manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who along with Giggs are the only members of the Red Devils contingent that visited SA back in 1993, is well aware of Tottenham Hotspurs visit to SA last season, that ended in defeat for the London side, at the hands of Orlando Pirates.
Keeping the Manchester United supporters happy by means of success, is a way of life for all involved with the English club and with a local following of over 5 million fans, the visitors mix of experience and youth will be out to produce their renowned high quality level of disciplined soccer, on Rainbow Nation soil.
“Manchester United is still the best producer of young players in our country, and players that you might not know about include fullback Phil Bardsley, who is a strong, quick player who can also play at centre half, as well as another centre half from Northern Ireland in 17-year-old John Evans, and midfielder David Jones, who spent last season with Preston North End to enhance his experience, but he is a fine player,” said Ferguson.
“We know that their has been a great improvement in the standard of South African football and are expecting the matches against Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs to be tough encounters.”
Tickets for the matches will not be on sale at the stadia on match day but can be purchased at Computicket and select Shoprite Checkers outlets nationwide, according to a reserved seat number system, and supporters, whether individuals or groups, are advised to purchase their tickets as soon as possible in order to secure the best possible vantage point for this international spectacular.
Vodacom Challenge match tickets can be bought at the Computicket and Shoprite Checkers ticket sales points at R55 each for the East Pavilion, with the exception of the final in Pretoria where the Upper East Pavilion tickets will be sold at R55 and the Lower East Pavilion tickets on sale at R110 per ticket.
Further tickets at R170 each (North and South Pavilion) and R350 each (West/Main Pavilion) are on sale. All tickets for the Vodacom Challenge fixture in Rustenburg will be on sale at R55 per ticket.
The Vodacom Challenge is a dream event for corporates wishing to entertain clients and Hospitality Suite bookings can be arranged by contacting Melissa on 0861 124 722.
