The Phefeni Glamour Boys reclaimed the Vodacom Challenge trophy following an emphatic victory against Manchester City at a packed Loftus Versefeld on Saturday afternoon. Jeffrey Ntuka who was earlier deployed in the heart of the midfield scored the only goal of the match in the 41st minute.

Vladimir Vermezovic made seven changes to the team that beat Orlando Pirates on Thursday night at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium with David Mathebula wearing the captain’s armband in the absence of regular captains.

It was Manchester Citys’ Gareth Barry who had his strike outside 18 area box saved by an alert Khune. In the 41th minute, Nkosinathi Nhleko who celebrated his 30th birthday on Friday 24 July had his shot parried for a corner by Shay Given. It was from the resultant corner that gave Chiefs an opener when Jeffrey Ntuka fired from close range after the City defence had failed to clear George Lebese’s corner thus registering a 1-0 lead to Chiefs at half time.

With City already forced to change two defenders in the first stanza of the game, Vladimir Vermezovic introduced a trio in, Mandla Masango, Abia Nale, Josta Dladla for Tshepo Bulu, George Lebese and Mthokozisi Yende respectively as the Glamour Boys tried to protect the lead.

Playing alongside Thabang Rooi, Thomas Sweswe looked solid as ever in the heart of defence as he kept City’s duo, Craig Bellamy and Emmanuel Adebayor at bay. The latter though did manage to have a strike at goal having beaten Thabang Rooi but could not keep his shot down.

The Glamour Boys then came close twice; first substitute Abia Nale watched his free kick swing just wide of Shay Given’s goals then the latter was forced to work as he saved David Mathebula’s curler.

Tinashe Nengomasha then forced Shay Given to dive low as the midfielder forged his way inside the opposition box as Chiefs looked to extend the lead. Itumeleng Khune had a minute before that done well to save Emmanuel Adeboyor’s header.

Substitute, Lawrence Molekwane who is finally getting some game time did well to keep City’s winger, Robinho under check as the Glamour Boys claimed their sixth Vodacom Challenge celebrating their 10th year anniversary.

The tournament allowed the coach to have a look at most of the players except the injured ones and will be pleased with what he saw.

Chiefs: Khune, Mmbooi (Molekwane 62), Jambo, Sweswe, Rooi (Nengomasha 58), Ntuka, Bulu (Masango 46), Mathebula, Nhleko, Yende (Dladla 46), Lebese (Nale 46)

Substitutes not used: Ngobeni, Masenamela, Nahayo, Sibeko, Nengomasha, Zwane

Technical Team

Vladimir Vermezovic (Head Coach)


Donald Khuse (Assistant Coach)


Rainer Dinkelacker (Goalkeeper Coach)


Elsa Storm (Fitness Trainer)

City: Given, Vidal (Ben Haim 18), Bridge, Onuoha, Dunne (Zabaleta 37), Petrov (Robinho 57), Barry, De Jong, Write-Phillips, Belamy, Adebayor

Substitutes not used: Taylor, Zabaleta, Weiss, Etuhu, Bojinov

Technical Team

Mark Hughes (Head Coach)

Match Officials

Seechurn Rajindraparsad (Referee)


Enoch Molefe (1st Assistant)


Toko Malebo (2nd Assistant)


Johnny Du Toit (4th Official)