2011 Vodacom Challenge

The Vodacom Challenge celebrated its 11th anniversary in 2011 with the English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur touring South Africa and playing against two local PSL clubs, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.

2011 Vodacom Challenge
Tournament details
Teams3
Tournament statistics
Matches played4
Goals scored7 (1.75 per match)
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2012 →

This is the second time that Tottenham Hotspur has 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 began 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 FIFA 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 Democratic Republic of the Congo 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.

The 2006 edition saw a change in format with Chiefs and Pirates now taking on a European giant, as Manchester United was named to the competition. Chiefs and Pirates each took on 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 Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Carlos Tevez lifted the trophy and once again the Vodacom Challenge trophy travelled to distant shores.

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

Manchester City traveled to South Africa for the first time to be the third English Premier League club to take part in the Vodacom Challenge; City, however, lost to Kaizer Chiefs in the final.

Venues

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Four cities served as the venues for the 2011 Vodacom Challenge.

Polokwane Johannesburg Port Elizabeth Nelspruit
Peter Mokaba Stadium Coca-Cola Park Stadium Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium Mbombela Stadium
Capacity: 41,733 Capacity: 62,567 Capacity: 48,459 Capacity: 40,929

Tottenham Hotspur Squad for 2011 Vodacom Challenge

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English Premier League team Tottenham Hotspur announced on 15 July 2011 that they will be bringing a full-strength squad to South Africa for the 11th 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   BRA Heurelho Gomes
2 DF   SCO Alan Hutton
3 MF   WAL Gareth Bale
4 DF   FRA Younès Kaboul
5 MF   ENG David Bentley
6 MF   ENG Tom Huddlestone
7 MF   ENG Aaron Lennon
8 MF   ENG Jermaine Jenas
9 FW   RUS Roman Pavlyuchenko
10 FW   IRL Robbie Keane
11 MF   NED Rafael van der Vaart
12 MF   HON Wilson Palacios
14 MF   CRO Luka Modrić
No. Pos. Nation Player
15 FW   ENG Peter Crouch
16 DF   ENG Kyle Naughton
18 FW   ENG Jermain Defoe
19 DF   CMR Sébastien Bassong
20 DF   ENG Michael Dawson (captain)
21 MF   CRO Niko Kranjčar
22 DF   CRO Vedran Ćorluka
23 GK   ITA Carlo Cudicini
25 MF   ENG Danny Rose
24 GK   USA Brad Friedel
28 DF   ENG Kyle Walker
32 DF   CMR Benoît Assou-Ekotto
36 DF   RSA Bongani Khumalo
40 MF   RSA Steven Pienaar

Fixtures

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First round

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Kaizer Chiefs  1 – 0  Tottenham Hotspur
Lebese   93' Report
Attendance: 41,733
KAIZER CHIEFS:
GK 31 Itumeleng Khune
RB 2 Jimmy Tau
CB 5 Dominic Isaacs   46'
CB 3 Thomas Sweswe
LB 29 Zhaimu Jambo
RM 8 Tinashe Nengomasha
CM 6 Reneilwe Letsholonyane   64'
CM 9 Josta Dladla   64'
LM 14 Siphiwe Tshabalala   64'
CF 7 Kaizer Motaung Junior   64'
CF Lehlohonolo Majoro   64'
Substitutes:
DF Tefu Mashamaite   64'
MF 17 George Lebese   64'   93'
MF 10 Mthokozisi Yende   64'
MF 11 Abia Nale   64'
FW 21 Knowledge Musona   64'
MF 12 Dominic Mateba   64'
GK 30 Kabelo Metsimetsi
Manager:
  Vladimir Vermezović
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR:
GK 23 Carlo Cudicini
RB 2 Alan Hutton   46'
CB 19 Sébastien Bassong   74'
CB 20 Michael Dawson   46'
LB 32 Benoît Assou-Ekotto
RM 5 David Bentley   46'
CM 6 Tom Huddlestone   46'
CM 8 Jermaine Jenas
LM 21 Niko Kranjčar   46'
CF 10 Robbie Keane   46'
CF 18 Jermain Defoe   46'
Substitutions:
GK Brad Friedel
DF 22 Vedran Ćorluka   49'
DF 36 Bongani Khumalo   74'
DF 4 Younès Kaboul   46'
MF 7 Aaron Lennon   46'
MF 11 Rafael van der Vaart   46'
MF 3 Gareth Bale   46'
FW 9 Roman Pavlyuchenko   46'
FW 15 Peter Crouch   46'
DF 16 Kyle Naughton
Manager:
  Harry Redknapp

ORLANDO PIRATES:
GK 1 Senzo Meyiwa
RB 4 Happy Jele   63'   40'
CB 14 Lucky LekgwathiCaptain   63'
CB 28 Rooi Mahamutsa   46'
LB 38 Ruben Cloete
RM 15 Andile Jali   63'
CM 20 Oupa Manyisa
CM 35 Isaac Chansa   46'
LM 23 Tlou Segolela   78'
CF 9 Bongani Ndulula   75'
CF 7 Daine Klate   46'
Substitutes:
GK 34 Jacob Mokhasi
DF Njabulo Ntusi   63'
DF 30 Robyn Johannes   63'
DF Siyabonga Sangweni   46'
MF 6 Clifford Ngobeni   63'
MF 12 Mark Mayambela   46'
MF Rudolf Bester   78'
FW 26 Ndumiso Mabena   75'
FW Sameehg Doutie   46'
Manager:
  Júlio Leal
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR:
GK Brad Friedel
RB 16 Kyle Naughton   46'
CB 4 Younès Kaboul   46'
CB 36 Bongani Khumalo
LB 25 Danny Rose
RM 5 David Bentley   46'
CM 14 Luka Modrić   58'
CM 12 Wilson Palacios   46'
LM 3 Gareth Bale   58'
CF 11 Rafael van der Vaart   46'
CF 18 Jermain Defoe   46'
Substitutions:
GK 23 Carlo Cudicini
DF 28 Kyle Walker   46'
DF 20 Michael Dawson   46'
MF 7 Aaron Lennon   46'
MF 21 Niko Kranjčar   58'
DF 22 Vedran Ćorluka   46'
MF 8 Jermaine Jenas   58'
MF 10 Robbie Keane   46'
FW 9 Roman Pavlyuchenko   46'
Manager:
  Harry Redknapp

Kaizer Chiefs  0–1  Orlando Pirates
Segolela   59'
KAIZER CHIEFS:
GK 31 Itumeleng Khune
RB 2 Jimmy Tau
CB 5 Dominic Isaacs
CB 3 Thomas Sweswe   62'
LB 29 Zhaimu Jambo   62'
RM 8 Tinashe Nengomasha
CM 6 Reneilwe Letsholonyane
CM 9 Josta Dladla
LM 14 Siphiwe Tshabalala   46'
CF 21 Knowledge Musona   76'
CF 20 Lehlohonolo Majoro   46'
Substitutes:
DF 4 Tefu Mashamaite   62'
DF 13 Keegan Richie   62'
MF 10 Mthokozisi Yende   46'
MF 11 Abia Nale   46'
FW 7 Kaizer Motaung Junior   64'
MF 22 Mandla Masango   46'
GK 26 Lucky Khune   76'
Manager:
  Vladimir Vermezović
ORLANDO PIRATES:
GK 1 Senzo Meyiwa
RB 4 Happy Jele
CB 21 Siyabonga Sangweni
CB 14 Lucky Lekgwathi
LB 38 Ruben Cloete
RM 23 Tlou Segolele   83'   59'
CM 20 Oupa Manyisa
CM 15 Andile Jali
LM 7 Daine Klate   75'
CF 12 Mark Mayambela   58'
CF 9 Bongani Ndulula   65'
Substitutions:
MF 5 Dikgang Mabalane   75'
MF 6 Clifford Ngobeni   83'
FW 11 Sameehg Doutie   65'
DF 18 Thulasizwe Mbuyane   58'
Manager:
  Júlio Leal

Final

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ORLANDO PIRATES:
GK 1 Senzo Meyiwa
RB 4 Happy Jele
CB 14 Lucky Lekgwathi (C)   63'
CB Siyabonga Sangweni   63'
LB 38 Ruben Cloete   69'
RM Thulasizwe Mbuyane   46'
CM 20 Oupa Manyisa
CM 15 Andile Jali   80'
LM 7 Daine Klate   63'
CF 9 Bongani Ndulula   87'
CF 23 Tlou Segolela   62'
Substitutes:
DF 28 Rooi Mahamutsa   63'
DF 30 Robyn Johannes   63'
DF 32 Lucas Thwala   69'
MF 11 Sameegh Doutie   46'
MF 6 Clifford Ngobeni   80'
MF 25 Rudolf Bester   63'
FW 26 Ndumiso Mabena   87'
FW 12 Mark Mayambela   62'
Manager:
  Júlio Leal
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR:
GK 1 Heurelho Gomes
RB 28 Kyle Walker   46'
CB 19 Sébastien Bassong
CB 36 Bongani Khumalo
LB 32 Benoît Assou-Ekotto
RM 7 Aaron Lennon   60'
CM 14 Luka Modrić   70'
CM 6 Tom Huddlestone   46'
LM 30 Steven Pienaar   46'
CF 11 Rafael van der Vaart    
CF 18 Peter Crouch   46'
Substitutions:
DF 2 Alan Hutton   46'
MF 9 Roman Pavlyuchenko   60'
MF 3 Gareth Bale   70'
MF 12 Wilson Palacios   46'
MF 21 Niko Kranjčar   46'
FW 18 Jermain Defoe   46'  
Manager:
  Harry Redknapp


2011 Vodacom Challenge
CHAMPIONS
Tottenham Hotspur
2nd title

References

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  1. ^ "Spurs will bring strong team for SA challenge - Business Day | South Africa News 24". Archived from the original on 27 March 2012. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
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