Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs look to end Manchester City’s hopes of being English hat-trick heroes in the Vodacom Challenge

Johannesburg, Friday, 17 July 2009 – As Manchester City arrive in South Africa to face Soweto giants Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs at this year’s Vodacom Challenge, from 18th to the 25th July 2009, the fans will prepare to be the true voice behind their teams

Manchester City’s Mark Hughes is expected to try out several new combinations in a bid to continue the success of visiting English Premiership teams Tottenham Hotspur (2007) and Manchester United (2008) in recent seasons.

With exciting new signings in Argentine striker Carlos Tevez, Paraguayan international striker Roque Santa Cruz, England international midfielder Gareth Barry and goalkeeper Stuart Taylor having joined Manchester City in the off-season, there is plenty for Hughes to ponder during their three-match tournament.

Hughes, like his Orlando Pirates counterpart Ruud Krol and Kaizer Chiefs’ Vladimir Vermezovic, is fully aware that friendly off-season tournaments no longer exist. The world-class Vodacom Challenge trophy is a sought-after piece of silverware, as previous visitors have shown, with a win serving as the perfect confidence-booster ahead of the new season.

A feast of soccer skills and excellence is expected during the tournament.

The celebration beat of the 10th anniversary of the Vodacom Challenge will be heard across the nation when Vodacom gives away 10 000 Djembe Drums (African Drum) as early arrival memorabilia at the Polokwane, Durban and Tshwane matches.

Vodacom will also enhance its status as the voice behind the teams, as it spearheads a Guinness World Records attempt before the match kicks off at the Soweto Derby in Port Elizabeth. The supporters will make their mark in history when they are counted as the voice behind the new world record.

The first 20 000 fans to enter the stadium will receive a commemorative Vodacom Challenge Vuvuzela.

In addition, 10 lucky soccer fans will stand a chance to walk away with a VW Tena Citi Golf during the Vodacom Challenge 10th Anniversary Campaign.

“The Vodacom Challenge has become world-renowned as a platform for foreign world-class soccer stars to showcase their skills against the best that South Africa has to offer. A star studded Manchester City and our offerings to soccer fans will certainly ensure a memorable Vodacom Challenge.” said Vodacom: Executive Director: Commercial, Romeo Kumalo.

SAIL group spokesperson Sizwe Nzimande said: “The array of stars that The Blues bring to South Africa is a true testament to the quality of the Vodacom Challenge and it is yet another opportunity for soccer fans in Mzansi to view world-class talent.

“But, of course, this tournament would not be what it is today without the participation of Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, the two giants of the South African game who serve as great ambassadors for soccer across the world.”

The Vodacom Foundation will donate R150 000 per goal to go towards it’s Goals For Miracles campaign and the beneficiaries which are South African National Council for the Blind, Netcare and the Pretoria Eye Institute, allowing for free cataract operations for disadvantaged elderly persons to take place.

Tickets for the Vodacom Challenge are on sale at Computicket, Shoprite Checkers and Checkers-Hyper outlets nationwide.

The Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane will host the opening fixture between Orlando Pirates and Manchester City on Saturday, July 18 (15h00 kick-off). Tickets are sold out.

The second leg of the tournament between Kaizer Chiefs and Manchester City will take place at the ABSA Stadium in Durban on Tuesday, July 21 (20h15 kick-off) and tickets are on sale at R150 per ticket (main grandstand, reserved), R100 per ticket (north and south stands reserved), R75 per ticket (east stand lower, reserved) and R45 pert ticket (east stand upper, unreserved).

The famous Vodacom Challenge Soweto Derby will be held at the new Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Thursday, July 23 (20h15 kick-off) and tickets for this highly-anticipated clash are on sale at only R45 each.

In the show-stopping final, Manchester City will face the Derby winners at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Tshwane on Saturday, July 25 (15h00 kick-off) and match tickets can be purchased at a cost of R150 each (main grandstand, reserved), R100 (north and south stands, reserved), R75 each (east lower stand, reserved) and R45 each (east upper stand unreserved).

The 10th anniversary of the Vodacom Challenge is made possible through the support of title sponsor Vodacom as well as PEP, PRASA, SABC Sport, KwaZulu Natal Provincial Government, Eastern Cape Provincial Government and Limpopo Provincial Government.

For further information, please visit www.vodacomchallenge.com

ABOUT SAIL GROUP

• Through extensive insight and unique positioning, the SAIL Group is at the forefront of sport and entertainment marketing innovation in Southern Africa. Backed by our major shareholders Venfin Limited and Vuwa Investments (Pty) Limited, SAIL Group brings our clients’ brands into consumers lives by providing solutions in sport business consulting, sponsorship management, event and hospitality management, and merchandising. SAIL Group is also a private equity investor in sport brands and through its companies, SAIL Sport & Entertainment, CIRCA, EXP and Navitute the promoter of the Vodacom Challenge – a SAIL event.

Maggie Sekoto (Forever Marketing)
Cell: 082 902 3780

Or

Augustine Nethononda (SAIL Group: Executive Promoter)
Cell: 072 671 5862