THE TERRIFIC TRIO

The teams competing in the 2009 Vodacom Challenge all have quality squads. We select three players each Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs and Manchester City who we believe could have a big impact on this year’s event.

ORLANDO PIRATES

THULASIZWE MBUYANE

Age: 26
Position: Midfielder
The attacking midfielder made a huge impact at Orlando Pirates last season after a move from Free State Stars.

Injury kept him on the sidelines for three months during the campaign, but his incisive, attacking play was a joy to watch when he was available and he is sure to be a key member of Ruud Krol’s side this season.

Pirates fans got their first sight of him in the famous black and white shirt during last year’s Vodacom Challenge when he played in the Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs in Port Elizabeth.

LEHLOHONOLO SEEMA

Age: 29
Position: Defender
Probably now considered a veteran after over a decade of campaigning in South African football, first with Bloemfontein Celtic and then Pirates after a move ahead of the 2007/08 season.

Now club captain, the Lesotho international is a born leader and marshals the back-four expertly. He too made his first appearance in a Pirates shirt in the Vodacom Challenge (in 2006) – and it was a memorable debut as he netted an own goal against Manchester United!

JOSEPH MAKHANYA

Age: 27
Position: Midfielder
Makhanya is a Buccaneer through and through having risen out of the junior ranks of the club. He is one of the few players remaining from the title triumphs of 2000/01 and 2002/03, but by his own admission has not had the greatest times in recent seasons.

He is, however, a quality player, who has natural attacking instincts, good pace and the ability to beat defenders with his silky skills.

This season presents a real opportunity for him to win his place back in the starting XI under Ruud Krol, and what better way to catch the coach’s eye than with a match-winning performance in the Vodacom Challenge – a tournament he debuted in way back in 2001.

KAIZER CHIEFS

KAIZER MOTAUNG JUNIOR

Age: 27
Position: Striker
Kaizer Chiefs are looking for a regular goal scorer to help them win trophies and in Motaung Junior they have a player who has all the attributes to succeed.

In fact, his record in the last three seasons of a goal every two games is amongst the best the League, the problem for Amakhosi has been that injury has limited those appearances significantly.

If Motaung Junior can stay fit he is almost the perfect foil for the nippy Venezuelan front-man Jose Torrealba, and that should put Chiefs back on the trophy trail.

TINASHE NENGOMASHA

Age: 26
Position: Midfielder
One of Kaizer Chiefs’ best signings in the close-season was not that of a new player, but rather the contract extension of Zimbabwean defensive midfielder Nengomasha.

He is perhaps the least noticed, yet possibly the most important player in the Amakhosi side and his tireless work in the ‘engine-room’ of midfield has almost single-handedly won them numerous matches.

He is also now very much a club stalwart having been in the ‘Black and Gold’ since 2001, making well over 200 hundred appearances for the side since then.

MTHOKOZISI YENDE

Age: 24
Position: Midfielder
One of the most exciting players to come out of last year’s South African domestic season was Yende, who was the spearhead as University of Pretoria famously won through to the final of the Nedbank Cup.

The 25-year-old was a revelation in his attacking midfielder position and many observers are excited to see how he manages in the step-up to regular action in the top-flight.

But if his performances from last season are anything to go by it will be a breeze and his capture is something of a coup for Chiefs, with a whole host of clubs chasing his signature.

MANCHESTER CITY

SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS

Age: 27
Position: Midfielder
The adopted son of former Arsenal and England legend Ian Wright, Shaun is one of the best right-wingers in the English Premiership.

Small in stature, he has surprising strength, excellent skill and a keen eye for goal that sees him a regular scorer at club level.

He rose through the junior ranks at Manchester City after Nottingham Forest decided he was too small for professional football and became a cult favourite amongst the fans. He left for Chelsea in 2005 but never quite settled in London and returned to City in August 2008, happy to be back at the club he calls home.
GARETH BARRY

Age: 28
Position: Midfielder
A recent signing from Aston Villa in the close-season, Barry is the regular England defensive midfielder and amongst the best in the business.

He has an excellent passing range, can shoot from distance and has the knack of popping up at the right place at the right time in the penalty-area.

He is also a cool customer from the penalty-spot and adds plenty of bite to the midfield. His position is one of the most underrated in football and he performs his duties so well that you sometimes don’t realise he is there.

ROQUE SANTA CRUZ

Age: 27
Position: Striker
A deadly hit-man who also worked with Manchester City manager Mark Hughes at Blackburn Rovers, from where Hughes signed him in the close-season.

Once the strike-partner of Benni McCarthy, his record of 29 goals in 59 matches for Rovers is an excellent one, making him one of the leading marksmen in the Premiership over the last two years.

Tall, he is excellent in the air, but also surprisingly nimble with the ball at his feet and he has good vision too, meaning he can create goals for others as well as score them.