Ntuthuko Maphumulo soccer
Four of Africa’s greatest soccer teams were hit by tragedy earlier this year when fans were killed in two crowd stampedes barely a month apart. At this year’s Vodacom Challenge the ancestors and spirits of those who died at the Ellis Park stampede and in Accra will finally be laid to rest.
Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, Hearts of Oak and Ashante Kotoko meet at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Rustenburg on June 30 to decide who will play in the final at King’s Park in Durban on July 8.
Kaizer Chiefs will face Ghana’s Hearts of Oak, the reigning African champions. New South African champions Orlando Pirates face the winners of the African Super Cup, Ashante Kotoko.
Orlando Pirates chair Irvin Khoza said: “This year’s Vodacom Challenge is a healing process for all four clubs and both nations.”
Kaizer Chiefs chair Kaizer Motaung said reciprocal games will be played in Ghana. The Accra disaster fund will receive R100 000 from the challenge.
Orlando Pirates won the inaugural cup in 1999 and Kaizer Chiefs won the challenge last year.