Posted in Cool News, News on Dec 08, 2022.
Kaizer Chiefs & SuperSport host a galaxy of stars exhibition match at the Kaizer Chiefs Village
Kaizer Chiefs hosted some of the world’s top footballers and many of the Club’s iconic former players, as SuperSport’s 2022 FIFA World Cup panel of expert analysts visited the Club’s Kaizer Chiefs Village for a special exhibition game on Wednesday.
England international Owen Hargreaves, Ghana legend Asamoah Gyan, anchor Thomas Mlambo, as well as former Kaizer Chiefs legends Stanton Fredericks and Siphiwe Tshabalala, Bafana Bafana international Phumudzo Manenzhe and Banyana Banyana legend, Portia Modise, were among the SuperSport analysts who visited the Village and played in the game against a Kaizer Chiefs invitational side.
The Kaizer Chiefs players representing the Club today were many of the Club’s current technical team and staff members, such as first team coach Arthur Zwane, assistant coach Dillon Sheppard, manager Gerald Sibeko, development coaches Ntsie Maphike, Donald ‘Ace’ Khuse, David Mathebula and Jimmy Jambo, as well as former players like Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Siyabonga Nkosi, Brian Baloyi, Cyril Nzama, Nhlanhla Kubheka and Amakhosi icon Lucas Radebe.
Kaizer Chiefs Chairman, Kaizer Motaung, reveled in seeing the likes of Radebe putting on a Chiefs jersey at the Kaizer Chiefs Village again after so many years, as well as many of the players who brought glory and success to the Club in their playing days.
It was a galaxy of star footballers, converging to showcase Chiefs’ standing as one of the continent’s top football clubs, and to strengthen its relationship with long-time partner, SuperSport, in the intimate setting of the Club’s headquarters.
In an entertaining match, the SuperSport team started well, cheered on by a large contingent of SuperSport and DStv staffers, but they ran out of steam as the Chiefs legends turned the screws in the second half to run out 7-4 winners.
“It was a great opportunity for the Club to host the calibre of world-class players we had at the Kaizer Chiefs Village today. It is important for us to continue growing our relationships in world football and all the players who were on the pitch today hold a special place in the hearts of football fans globally,” said Kaizer Chiefs Marketing Director, Jessica Motaung.
“It was also an opportunity for us to cement even more our very close relationship with our partners, SuperSport, and to celebrate their fantastic FIFA World Cup coverage. It was an absolute privilege to host SuperSport’s international and local panellists at the Village, who have kept the continent’s football fans engaged during what has been an enthralling FIFA World Cup. It was also very special to bring together so many of our legends and former players, who have not donned the Chiefs jersey in many years,” Motaung added.
Ghana legend, Gyan, loved the experience of being at the Village for the game, and getting on the scoresheet with some of his trademark finishes.
“It was a fun game to be part of and I was happy to score some goals. Some of the legends still have it. And it was great to be at the Kaizer Chiefs Village, the Club is one of the biggest clubs in Africa and the experience and the facilities was perfect. I wish Kaizer Chiefs all the best in the future and thank them for hosting us so warmly,” said Gyan.
“It was such a cool experience. It was wicked seeing different guys from different generations showing off their skills. It was fun being with the lads, we had a blast. The Kaizer Chiefs facility was amazing, I loved playing here,” said SuperSport’s player/coach on the day, Hargreaves.
Radebe described being back ‘home’ at the Village as an “absolutely amazing experience”.
“This is where I started as a professional player. It’s great to come back and see how far the Club has come as well. The progress made since my playing days has been unbelievable. To see the boys again and to play football again on these fields for me was a real highlight. It brought back such great memories and it was so good to play with different generations of Chiefs players. It was great to be around them, to be able to sit and chat and have some banter in the dressing room. It makes you appreciate where you come from. Kaizer Chiefs is a tight-knit family and it was great to be part of it again,” said Radebe.
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The memorable event was a celebration of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, a precursor to Chiefs’ 53rd birthday in January and an exciting look ahead to the culmination of the global showpiece in Qatar, as well as preparation for the resumption of the DStv Premiership and SuperSport’s wall-to-wall coverage of all the world’s top football leagues.
