Vodacom Challenge 10th anniversary grand final promises a spectacular finish

Johannesburg, Friday, 24 July 2009 – Kaizer Chiefs booked their place in the final of the 2009 Vodacom Challenge after a dramatic 4-3 penalty shoot-out win over Orlando Pirates at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth last night.

The match finished 1-all in regulation time and both sides had chances early in the shoot-out to win the game, but there were eventually 14 spot-kicks taken as both sides failed to capitalise.

Chiefs will now go forward to meet English Premiership side Manchester City in the final of the competition at the Loftus Versfeld tomorrow (kick-off 15h00)

The goals came from Josta Dladla, who opened the scoring for Chiefs, before Josephy Kamwendo converted the equaliser for Pirates.

Adding to the dramas of the evening, a new Guinness World Record was set for the most vuvuzelas blown simultaneously for 30 seconds in one place. The first 20 000 fans who entered the stadium received a complimentary limited edition Vodacom Guinness World Record vuvuzela which highlighted the exciting and unique offerings to the supporters towards the 10th anniversary of the Vodacom Challenge. At this soccer crescendo, 12 511 soccer fans made their mark in history when they were counted as the voice behind the new world record.

Vodacom is set to wrap up the Vodacom Challenge’s 10th anniversary with a celebratory beat that will be heard across the nation when they give away 10 000 Djembe Drums (African Drum) as an early arrival incentive at tomorrow’s final. Vodacom will bring new meaning to the word communication as the country stands together to be the beat in support of their teams
The Vodacom Foundation’s “Goals for Miracles” campaign has been an astounding initiative. R150 000 per goal scored during regulation time is being donated to the South African National Council for the Blind, Netcare and the Pretoria Eye Institute, for disadvantaged elderly citizens in need of cataract operations. Expect Vodacom’s contribution, currently on 5 goals totalling R750 000, to increase after tomorrow’s final.

“The 10th edition of the Vodacom Challenge will easily be remembered as a week of gripping sports entertainment of the highest quality, to which Vodacom, as the greatest support of South African soccer, is proud to be associated with,” said Vodacom: Executive Director: Commercial: Romeo Kumalo.

SAIL spokesperson Size Nzimande said: “Manchester City Football Club have certainly touched the hearts of SA soccer fans with their friendliness and quality play. They have been an asset to this year’s 10th anniversary edition of the Vodacom Challenge, and I wish our very own Kaizer Chiefs, as well as the English club, the best of luck in their quest to lift the coveted trophy.”
Match tickets for the Grand Final can be purchased from Computicket, Shoprite, Checkers and Checkers-Hyper outlets nationwide 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 tournament promoters have gone the extra mile in honour of a decade of the Vodacom Challenge with SA Music Awards winner, Rhythmic Elements, with appearances by Meshack Mavuso from Isidingo, DJ MK, the Drum Café, Vodacom’s Flash Mob and Choir. The South Africa Tourism “Diski Dance” team will be on hand to entertain the crowds. Spectators will be getting into the soccer groove when they are taught the Diski Dance slick moves.

The Vodacom Challenge is made possible through the support of title sponsor Vodacom as well as PEP, PRASA, Macsteel, 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

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