When the fourth official signaled that only a minute was to be played at the end of the Premiership clash between Kaizer Chiefs and Santos, the Amakhosi sponsors disappointedly started gathering their belongings as they prepared to make their way our. But John "Shoes" Moshoeu had other ideas.

It had been a tough game and Chiefs never looked capable of upsetting former coach Muhsin Ertugral and his high-riding Santos. If anything Amakhosi appeared more under pressure in blistering North West heat and it was once more through superb defending and goalkeeping that they kept the slate clean.

A special day for the Amakhosi business partners who were bussed in through a luxury air-conditioned Intercape bus to share a day with the supporters and experience life on the stands or extra strong. It was a massive switch from the usually sublime environment in the suites.

"It is important for sponsors who want to market their product to our supporters to understand the marketplace. This trip was an educational one," said brand manager Emy Casaletti-Page. "Only now can they truly say they have been to a soccer match. We are already planning the same set up for the Pirates game."

This time they came prepared with their makalabas, vuvuzelas and dressed to part. The only thing they could have never prepared for was the searing heat that threatened to take the steam out of the excitement. Not even the patches of clouds that hovered around the stadium could do anything to lessen the heat.

Amakhosi supporter Saddam Maake and some of his colleagues were there to guide the sponsors through the extra strong "minefield".

First it was important to learn how to blow the vuvuzela as it keeps the team going and them the song and dance. Those were not ordinary songs - very special songs sung at different stages of the game depending on how the team was doing on the field.

The sponsors never disappointed. They had the rhythm and took the song with such enthusiasm as though they were regular extra strong inhabitants. Saddam and his troops were much impressed by this but had to slow them down. It was very hot and road ahead was also very long, given that they had all been there an hour before kick-off.

When the Glamour Boys finally trotted on the field, dressed in the same gear as the sponsors, there was air of excitement on the stand and Saddam almost battled to calm the "new supporters" or "sponsors branch" - as Putco Mafani called them - down.

Saddam and his troops laid down few house rules: "Here there’s only two coaches, Doc and Ace. When things are not going too well on the field, we do not put pressure on them by signaling that there must be changes made. They know what they are doing and all we have to do here is support the team through and through," said Saddam.

The game started slowly but Santos appeared a sure bet to upset Amakhosi as they took off from where they left on in the first round encounter.

But Chiefs were unmoved. Defence rock-solid with World Cup star Cyril Nzama back in contention plus seasoned campaigners David Kannemeyer and Peter Matshitse. Patrick Twala was bottled up by the evergreen Nzama and was later replaced by Thokozani Xaba in the second half.

Peter Kirsten and Tyrone Arendse showed flashes of brilliance that had the supporters worried but the Glamour Boys kept their cool and this frustrated the Cape visitors and Ertugral did like what was unfolding.

The arrival of Fees Moloi in place of Sebastian Bax at the start of the second half presented Chiefs with new problems. The former Chiefs striker was at times left unchecked and almost punished Chiefs for that. But the Amakhosi defence was quick to deal with any potential danger and Brian Baloyi as always a star in goals.

It had been a long day on the stands and appeared that neither side was ready to take the full points. But veteran Shoes Moshoeu - a 63rd minute replacement for Josias Macamo - delivered the final blow to bring Ertugral and Santos on their knees with virtually the last kick of the match.

Suddenly the stadium erupted in uncontrollable joy and celebration while Santos were terribly disappointed and looked back at their missed chances. They dominated the match but Chiefs had the final say on the match.

It's not the same when you are not on the stands and I am sure most of the sponsors will in future swap their suite tickets for extra strongs!

Joe Luuks reporting from the extra strongs