The 2011 Vodacom Challenge

Johannesburg, Thursday, 14th July 2011 – Johannesburg, Thursday, 14th July 2011:
After seven weeks without domestic football, there is a treat in store for local fans with the 2011 Vodacom Challenge set to start the new season with world-class football, brought to you by a world-class network!

The Vodacom Challenge is one of the highlights of the South African football calendar bringing international stars to our shores to take on the best of Mzansi. This year English Premiership giants Tottenham Hotspur are in the firing line for Orlando Pirates FC and Kaizer Chiefs in the week-long tournament from July 16-23.

Tottenham Hotspur have something of a love-affair with South Africa and are making their fourth visit to the country, their third in eight years and their second in the Vodacom Challenge tournament, having walked away with the title in 2007.

Their involvement with the country extends beyond the football pitch with the charity work that the club has undertaken since their last visit four years ago, but for the next week they will be fully focused on getting the best preparation possible for the next English Premiership season that starts in Mid-August.

The same can be said for Orlando Pirates FC and Kaizer Chiefs, who will be eager to give their new players a run against top-quality European opposition. The likes of Siyabonga Sangweni and Sameehg Doutie are two of the high-profile signings made by The Buccaneers as they seek to defend their domestic League title in the new campaign.

Kaizer Chiefs have something of a new look about them too, with the acquisitions of Bafana Bafana striker Lehlohonolo Majoro from Amazulu, left-back Keegan Ritchie from Moroka Swallows and central defender Tefu Mashamaite from Bidvest Wits. All should get a run at some stage in the 2011 Vodacom Challenge.

Tottenham Hotspur also bring with them a world-class array of players, such as Bafana Bafana captain Steven Pienaar, Welsh wizard Gareth Bale, Croatian playmaker Luka Modric, Dutch midfielder Rafael van der Vaart, French defender William Gallas and their skipper, England international centre-back Michael Dawson, in what will be a fascinating clash of styles against The Buccaneers and Amakhosi.

The north London side will take on Kaizer Chiefs in their opener this year at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on July 16, before they play Orlando Pirates FC at the Mbombela Stadium in Mbombela on July 19.

Orlando Pirates FC and Kaizer Chiefs will then battle it out for a place in the tournament final when they meet at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on July 21. The victor there will advance to the decider against Tottenham Hotspur at Coca-Cola Park in Johannesburg on July 23.

“It is indeed an honour to welcome Tottenham Hotspur back to South Africa for the Vodacom Challenge. To be able to attract a club of such world renown to do battle against our two most venerated footballing institutions will give fans a spectacular experience of the highest quality, in keeping with Vodacom’s mission to bring ‘Power To You’.” says Romeo Kumalo, Vodacom SA: Chief Commercial Officer.

The tournament will once again be organised by SAIL and CEO Justin Sampson is confident everything is in place for the competition, which is a vital part of the pre-season plans for the clubs.

“We know that this is a crucial time for the players and the coaches as they prepare for the new season. A good pre-season is the cornerstone of success in the new campaign and so we have a responsibility to lay on the best facilities possible to help the coaches and the players in this regard. We have four fantastic venues for the competition this year and we are confident that all three clubs will find huge benefit in taking part in the tournament,” says Sampson.

Aside from the exciting football, the Vodacom Challenge will also be used to once again raise funds to help give the gift of sight. With the Vodacom Foundation’s ‘Goals for Miracles’ initiative, R150 000 will be donated each time a goal is scored in regulation time during the tournament to contribute towards free cataract operations for South African citizens battling with their sight.

Now in its 12th year, the Vodacom Challenge has become a highlight of the South African football calendar. Kaizer Chiefs have the most titles to their name with five, including the last time the tournament was held in 2009 when they defeated Manchester City 1-0 in the final.

Orlando Pirates FC have two titles to their name, the last coming in 2005, while Tottenham Hotspur have that single success in 2007, the only previous time they have competed in the competition.

Tickets for this year’s tournament are now on sale at all Computicket, Shoprite, Checkers and Checkers Hyper outlets nationwide, as well as these selected regional outlets (see prices below):

Polokwane – Sasol Madiba Park (Madiba Park), Ivy Park Foodzone (Ivy Park) and M&S Tavern (Makgofe Village).
Mbombela – the Mbombela Stadium (Mbombela), Spot 5 (Kwanyamazane) and Shell Garage, Msogwaba Motors (Ka Bokweni)
Port Elizabeth – Pie City (Uitenhage/Tinarha), KFC, eNjoli (eNjoli), Ngqoko Tavern (New Brighton), Monde’s Tavern (Motherwell) and Virgin Mobile (Greenachors Mall)

TICKET PRICES FOR THE 2011 VODACOM CHALLENGE
Peter Mokaba Stadium (Chiefs vs Tottenham Hotspur – July 16)
R50 – Grand Stand – Upper & Lower; East Stand – Upper & Lower; North and South Stands – Upper  & Lower and R80 – Grand Stand – Premier; East Stand – Premier

Mbombela Stadium (Pirates vs Tottenham Hotspur – July 19)
R50 – Grand Stand – Upper & Lower; East Stand – Upper & Lower; North and South Stands – Upper  & Lower and R80 – Grand Stand – Premier; East Stand – Premier

Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (Chiefs vs Pirates –
July 21)
R50 – Grand Stand – Upper, Middle & Lower; East Stand – Upper, Middle & Lower; North and South Stands – Upper, Middle & Lower and R80 – Grand Stand – Premier; East Stand – Premier

Coca-Cola Park (Final: Chiefs/Pirates vs Tottenham Hotspur – July 23)
R50 – East Stand – Upper; R80 – North and South Stands – Upper; R100 – East Stand – Lower; North and South – Lower; R150 – Grand Stand – Upper & Lower; East Stand – Premier; R200 – Grand Stand – Premier

For further information, please visit: www.vodacomchallenge.com