2009 Vodacom Challenge

The Vodacom Challenge celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2009 with the English Premier League side Manchester City touring South Africa and playing against two local PSL clubs, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs. Kaizer Chiefs defeated star-studded Manchester City in the final to lift the title.

2009 Vodacom Challenge
Tournament details
Teams3
Final positions
ChampionsKaizer Chiefs
Runner-upManchester City
Tournament statistics
Matches played4

This was the first time that Manchester City had taken part in the Vodacom Challenge.

Tournament history

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Originally known as the Vodacom African Challenge the competition was conceptualised and first played in 1999 as communications giant Vodacom sought to leverage their sponsorship of Soweto giants Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.

The first year of the competition saw two of the giants of the African continent invited to the pre-season tournament. Asec Mimosa, the reigning African champions were joined by Tunisia's Espérance. Orlando Pirates walked away with the trophy after an emphatic 4-1 win over Espérance.

The 2000 tournament started on a sour note when Morocco's Raja Casablanca, the new African champions, withdrew as it was felt that their participation was in conflict with Morocco and South Africa's battle to win the right to host the 2006 World Cup. Power Dynamos of Zambia were added as a late replacement, joining Ivorians Africa Sport who held the African Cup Winner’s Cup. The final between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs failed to live up to pre-match expectations, although it did provide a fascinating battle in midfield. Kaizer Chiefs walked away 1-0 winners.

The 2001 Vodacom Challenge held special meaning for supporters from both Ghana and South Africa. Ghanaian clubs Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak were invited to play. The organizers dedicated the tournament to the 43 fans who had died at Ellis Park just a few months before, as well as the 126 people who perished at the Accra Sports Stadium during a match between Hearts and Kotoko just weeks before the Ellis Park tragedy. It was a sobering occasion for all, and a reminder that much was still to be done to ensure the safety of spectators across the continent. The final produced no goals and the match went to penalties with Kaizer Chiefs managing to retain the trophy they won the year before with a 3-2 win on penalties against Asante Kotoko.

Asante Kotoko returned for the 2002 event, where they were joined by DRC outfit St Eloi Lupopo. The final was settled by a single spectacular goal from Musasa and Asante Kotoko became the first foreign side to lift the Vodacom Challenge trophy.

St Eloi Lupopo returned to defend their title in 2003 and were joined by compatriots TP Mazembe. Kaizer Chiefs claimed their third title in the final after winning 3-2 on penalties after a goalless match. It was after this tournament that TP Mazembe's Felix Musasa joined Pirates.

As had been the growing trend over the years, the 2004 Vodacom Challenge was dominated by shoot outs. TP Mazembe were back, this time joined by newcomers AS Vita. The final that pitted Kaizer Chiefs against AS Vita Club was disappointing until the dying minutes of the game when a goal from each side saw the match go to penalties. AS Vita went on to win the shoot-out 4-3.

Defending champions AS Vita and Green Buffaloes of Zambia were invited the next year and both fell at the first hurdle setting up a dream final between Pirates and Chiefs. The final in Durban was a cracking match that provided great entertainment for the expectant crowd. Pirates held on to claim their second trophy after a long six-year wait.

2006 saw a change in format with Chiefs and Pirates now taking on a European giant. Manchester United was named as the competition. Chiefs and Pirates each took on Man United in an exhibition match followed by a derby clash to determine who would play the visiting team in the final. Kaizer Chiefs represented South Africa in the final and after a nail-biting penalty shoot out, Kaizer Chiefs raised the new-look trophy in glory.

Tottenham Hotspur, hoping to emulate Manchester United by visiting South Africa and winning the Premier League the next season were the international team in 2007. Spurs played Pirates in the Final and walked away with the Vodacom Challenge Final.

Manchester United returned in 2008 to avenge their loss to Kaizer Chiefs in 2006. In a hard fought final, the Manchester United team with big names like Rooney, Ferdinand and Tevez lifted the trophy and once again the Vodacom Challenge trophy travelled to distant shores.

Vodacom Challenge 2010

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The 2010 Vodacom Challenge was skipped, due to the World Cup being organised in South Africa, during the months of June and July.

Venues

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Four cities served as the venues for the 2009 Vodacom Challenge.

Polokwane Durban Port Elizabeth Tshwane
Peter Mokaba Stadium Absa Stadium Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Capacity: 15,000 Capacity: 55,000.4 Capacity: 48,000 Capacity: 51,762
 

Manchester City Squad for 2009 Vodacom Challenge

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Premier League team Manchester City announced on 15 July 2009 that they will be bringing a full-strength squad to South Africa for the 10th anniversary of the Vodacom Challenge where they will tackle Soweto giants Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.[1]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK   IRL Shay Given
2 DF   ENG Micah Richards
3 DF   ENG Wayne Bridge
4 DF   ENG Nedum Onuoha
6 MF   ENG Michael Johnson
7 MF   IRL Stephen Ireland
8 MF   ENG Shaun Wright-Phillips
9 FW   BUL Valeri Bojinov
10 FW   BRA Robinho *
11 MF   BRA Elano *
12 GK   ENG Stuart Taylor
14 FW   PAR Roque Santa Cruz
15 DF   ESP Javier Garrido
16 GK   DEN Kasper Schmeichel
No. Pos. Nation Player
17 MF   BUL Martin Petrov
18 MF   ENG Gareth Barry
20 FW   ECU Felipe Caicedo
22 DF   IRL Richard Dunne (captain)
24 FW   WAL Ched Evans
25 FW   TOG Emmanuel Adebayor *
26 DF   ISR Tal Ben Haim
27 FW   ZIM Benjani
29 MF   NGA Kelvin Etuhu
30 DF   ENG Shaleum Logan
32 FW   ARG Carlos Tevez
33 MF   BEL Vincent Kompany
34 MF   NED Nigel de Jong
39 FW   WAL Craig Bellamy
40 MF   SVK Vladimír Weiss
  • * Will only be available for the final on July 25.

Fixtures

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First round

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Orlando Pirates  2 – 0  Manchester City
Twala   41' (pen.)
Mongalo   56'
Report
Attendance: 26,000
ORLANDO PIRATES:
GK 16 Moneed Josephs
RB 38 Zvenyika Makonese
CB 3 Kiaku   46'
CB 28 Rooi Mahamutsa
LB 32 Lucas Thwala   41'
RM 14 Lucky Lekgwathi
CM 36 Oupa Manyisa   48'
CM 5 Dikgang Mabalane
LM 42 Bennet Chenene   49'
CF 25 Rudzani Ramudzuli   46'
CF 40 Promise Mthembu   64'
Substitutes:
MF 24 Joseph Makhanya
7 Joseph Kamwendo   49'
MF 12 Thembile Kanono   46'   90'
CF 15 Irvin Mhlambi   46'
9 Destin Nakica
MF 20 Reason Chiloane   64'
GK 1 Senzo Meyiwa
CF 8 Phenyo Mogale   48'   56'
DF 17 Lehlohonolo Seema
Manager:
  Ruud Krol
MANCHESTER CITY:
GK 12 Stuart Taylor
RB 5 Pablo Zabaleta
CB 26 Tal Ben Haim
CB 15 Javier Garrido
LB 40 Vladimír Weiss
RM 7 Stephen Ireland   69'
CM 41 Ben Mee
CM 6 Michael Johnson
LM 17 Martin Petrov   45'
CF 9 Valeri Bojinov   69'
CF 39 Craig Bellamy   45'   47'
Substitutions:
GK 37 Shay Given
DF 50 Ryan McGivern
MF 34 Nigel de Jong   69'
CF 20 Felipe Caicedo   69'
AM 8 Shaun Wright-Phillips
MF 18 Gareth Barry
CF 27 Benjani   47'
MF 36 Javan Vidal
Manager:
  Mark Hughes

Kaizer Chiefs  0 – 1  Manchester City
Report   45' Ireland
Attendance: 45,000
KAIZER CHIEFS:
GK 32 Itumeleng Khune
RB 20 Tshifiwa Mmbooi
CB 31 Punch Masenamela
CB 13 Valery Nahayo   86'
LB 3 Langu Sweswe
RM 8 Tinashe Nengomasha
CM 22 Mandla Masango   69'
CM 6 Reneilwe Letsholonyane   65'
LM 24 David Mathebula
CF 11 Abia Nale   54'
CF 7 Kaizer Motaung Junior
Substitutes:
GK 16 Thela Ngobeni
DF 77 José Torrealba
MF 17 George Lebese
DF 29 Zhiamu Jambo
28 Lawrence Molekwane
MF 18 Arthur Zwane
DF 4 Elliot Rooi
MF 9 Josta Dladla   65'
CF 23 Tshepo Bulu
CF 10 Mthokozisi Yende   54'
MF 27 Gerald Sibeko
CF 21 Knowledge Musona   69'
CF 19 Nkosinathi Nhleko
MF 33 Jeffrey Ntuka   86'
GK 30 Abel Metsimetsi
Manager:
  Vladimir Vermezović
MANCHESTER CITY:
GK 12 Stuart Taylor
RB 5 Pablo Zabaleta
CB 41 Ben Mee
CB 50 Ryan McGivern
LB 3 Wayne Bridge   71'
RM 8 Shaun Wright-Phillips   82'
CM 34 Nigel de Jong
CM 18 Gareth Barry   54'   63'
LM 29 Kelvin Etuhu
CF 7 Stephen Ireland   46'   45'
CF 20 Felipe Caicedo   44'   46'
Substitutions:
GK 37 Shay Given
MF 36 Javan Vidal   63'
DF 15 Javier Garrido   71'
AM 17 Martin Petrov   46'
MF 40 Vladimír Weiss   82'
CF 27 Benjani   46'   90'
CF 9 Valeri Bojinov   90'
Manager:
  Mark Hughes

ORLANDO PIRATES:
GK 16 Moneed Josephs
RB 28 Rooi Mahamutsa
CB 19 Innocent Mdledle
CB 32 Lucas Thwala
LB 17 Lehlohonolo Seema
RM 5 Dikgang Mabalane
CM 7 Joseph Kamwendo   30'   75'
CM 3 Kiaku   34'   56'
LM 21 Katlego Mashego   80'
CF 15 Irvin Mhlambi   62'
CF 12 Phenyo Mogale
Substitutes:
GK 29 Robert Modiadie
MF 14 Lucky Lekgwathi
MF 2 Benson Mhlongo   56'
DF 38 Zvenyika Makonese
9 Destin Nakica
MF 36 Oupa Manyisa   75'
11 Tsholofelo Modise   62'
MF 24 Joseph Makhanya
MF 30 Lebogang Mothibantwa
MF 42 Bennet Chenene   80'
8 Andile Jali
MF 40 Promise Mthembu
Manager:
  Ruud Krol
KAIZER CHIEFS:
GK 32 Itumeleng Khune
RB 31 Punch Masenamela
CB 28 Lawrence Molekwane
CB 3 Langu Sweswe   74'
LB 33 Jeffrey Ntuka
RM 6 Reneilwe Letsholonyane   53'
CM 22 Mandla Masango   88'
CM 24 David Mathebula
LM 9 Josta Dladla   10'
CF 11 Abia Nale
CF 21 Knowledge Musona   60'
Substitutes:
GK 16 Thela Ngobeni
DF 20 Tshifiwa Mmbooi
DF 29 Zhiamu Jambo
DF 4 Elliot Rooi   74'
MF 8 Tinashe Nengomasha
MF 27 Gerald Sibeko   53'
MF 17 George Lebese
MF 18 Arthur Zwane   88'
CF 10 Mthokozisi Yende
CF 23 Tshepo Bulu
CF 77 José Torrealba   60'
CF 19 Nkosinathi Nhleko
GK 30 Abel Metsimetsi
Manager:
  Vladimir Vermezović

Final

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Kaizer Chiefs  1 – 0  Manchester City
Ntuka   42' Report
Attendance: 40,000


Vodacom Challenge
2009 Winners
Kaizer Chiefs
5th Title

References

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  1. ^ "Manchester City announce strong squad for 2009 Vodacom Challenge". Archived from the original on 29 July 2009. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
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