Orlando Pirates players can’t wait to lace up their boots for the 10th anniversary of the Vodacom Challenge against Manchester City, at the Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane, on Saturday, July 18 (15h00 kickoff).
Teko Modise said: “Manchester City is a class side. We have been watching Robinho play since his days in Santos, Brazil and this talented player can do almost anything with the ball. They have other fine players too including Shaun Wright Phillips who has lots of pace. But we also have skilful players like Katlego Mashego, Benson Mhlongo and Dikgang ‘Terminator’ Mabalane. If we are committed enough on the day, we can win.”
“Manchester City plays a fast game but so do we. As for my free kicks, I am putting a lot of extra training into them and in the new season I am going to try and get even better and hopefully become the best free kick taker in SA.”
“Ruthless” is how Katlego Mashego described his approach to the goal-scoring chances that will come his way against Manchester City.
“We probably won’t get as many goal-scoring chances against Manchester City as we would get in a local league match so we need to be ruthless in our approach to scoring, but the English club have some fine players and I am really looking forward to the challenge of playing against them,” said Mashego.
Benson Mhlongo has made the Orlando Pirates centre midfield his own since arriving from Mamelodi Sundowns at the start of the 2008/2009 season, and is eager to help his club put in a good showing against The Blues.
“Being in the centre of midfield I am able to play an influential role in helping Orlando Pirates’ defence or pushing forward on attack and I can’t see myself moving from this position,” said Mhlongo, who is also at home in the central defensive position.
“I prefer playing in midfield, because my chances to attack are limited when playing in defence. The Orlando Pirates defensive play has improved considerably throughout the past season. This is due to the input from coach Ruud Krol who has focused on the positioning of players on defence. Its simple, make the opposing attackers play with their back to our goal, and force them to come around our defenders if they want to play forward. Never let the opposing strikers take the inside line to our goal posts.”
Right wing Dikgang Mabalane is just as excited at the prospect of playing against Manchester City.
“I am sure that we have a lot of things to learn from each other. Orlando Pirates enjoy using the wings on attack and taking on players. I have a great understanding with the likes of Teko Modise and Katlego Mashego when pushing forward, and we have been fortunate to create and take a lot of chances. Our coach Ruud Krol has worked hard with us on our playing pattern and the importance of getting the ball wide. I am really looking forward to this Vodacom Challenge.” said Mabalane, who joined Orlando Pirates from Jomo Cosmos, and who like Mhlongo is set for his Vodacom Challenge debut.
Excitement is running high in Polokwane ahead of the opening match after which Manchester City will travel to Durban to take on Kaizer Chiefs at the ABSA Stadium on Tuesday, July 21 (20h15 kickoff).
Vodacom Challenge Soweto Derby fever will reign supreme in Port Elizabeth when Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs face each other at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Thursday, July 23 (20h15 kickoff), with the winner set to play Manchester City in the final of the tournament, at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Tshwane on Saturday, July 25 (15h00 kickoff).
The 10th anniversary of the Vodacom Challenge is made possible through the support of title sponsor Vodacom as well as PEP, Metrorail, SABC Sport, KwaZulu Natal Provincial Government, Eastern Cape Provincial Government and Limpopo Provincial Government.
Tickets for this world class soccer spectacle are on sale at Computicket, Shoprite Checkers and Checkers-Hyper outlets nationwide.
For the opening leg of the tournament in Polokwane, tickets are on sale at R100 per ticket (main grandstand, unreserved seating) and R45 per ticket (open seating and unreserved).
Tickets for the clash between Kaizer Chiefs and Manchester City at the ABSA Stadium in Durban, 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 Vodacom Challenge Soweto Derby tickets in Port Elizabeth are on sale at R45 each.
Match tickets for the grand finale 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).
Manchester City just beat Chelsea ! The Power is shifting.
vernon@ football blog´s last blog ..Man City open up the Premier League title race
For some reason I don’t enjoy soccer because it is so noisy. Everyone is shouting as if they are fighting. Some even bet and lose money and some got beaten up.