SOCCER
Ntuthuko Maphumulo
The sought-after kudu-horn trophy will be at stake in the Vodacom
Challenge this weekend in Durban. The final will be between defending champions Kaizer Chiefs and Asante Kotoko, who have twice been African champions and have won a record 19 Ghanaian championships.
The war of words began this week. Chiefs owner Kaizer Motaung said: “It is non-negotiable that the trophy will remain in South Africa,” while an Asante Kotoko representative
responded: “The kudu trophy is better placed in West Africa.”
This year the challenge is taking place among four clubs that were affected by deaths of supporters during their derby matches in recent months.
In the first of last weekend’s matches at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace, between Kaizer Chiefs and Hearts of Oak, Chiefs showed why they are called the glamour boys of Africa. They showcased young players and new signings in their 2-0 victory over Hearts of Oak.
The Ghanaian team were weakened by several players being on
national duty last week, but their coach has vowed to strengthen the team for Sunday’s third-place
play-off against Orlando Pirates.
Kaizer Chiefs will give top striker Siyabonga Nomvete a chance to don the Amakhosi jersey one final time before he flies off to Italy to join
Udinese.
The second match last weekend between Pirates and Asante Kotoko did not live up to the Chiefs against Hearts game.
Pirates’ strikers failed to utilise their clear scoring chances, with Phumulani Mkhize the biggest culprit. The Bucanneers lost 2-4 in a penalty shoot-out after the teams were tied
1-1 at full time.
The four teams will visit various
police stations in KwaMashu in KwaZulu-Natal where Siyabonga Nomvete stays.
While the glamour clubs play in Durban, four of the smaller clubs will also get a chance to share the limelight and get their hands on some cash this weekend and the people of the Northern Province will get a chance to see newly promoted Black Leopards against some premier league opposition.
The People’s Bank Challenge will showcase two Northern Province teams, Black Leopards and Ria Stars, who will be fighting it out with two Gauteng teams, Jomo Cosmos and Supersport United.
The tournament, which Cosmos representative Sinky Mnisi says will become an annual event, will take place at Seshego stadium in Pietersburg on Sunday from 10am.
Fans are encouraged to bring a picnic and make a day of it.