Zim fans flown for Soweto derby
THIRTY nine Zimbabweans yesterday had a taste of the biggest football match in Southern Africa when they were part of a packed FNB Stadium for the Carling Black Label Cup clash between two of South Africa’s top football sides Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
Sponsorship for the trip was provided by Delta Beverages. Delta Beverages executives, employees, media personnel and some Carling Black Label Beer consumers from all over the country flew to South Africa on Saturday morning. They were treated to a VIP experience at the 2010 Fifa World Cup final venue. Of these, 29 were winners of the Carling Black Label “Be the Champion Coach” promotion, 22 being men and seven females. The promotion ran from 1 May to 30 June.
Delta Beverages senior management who attended the match were marketing executive Patricia Murambinda, sales executive Stanley Muchenje and Irimayi Muzorewa, the channel marketing executive.
Two Zimbabweans started the match for their respective sides. Midfielder Willard Katsande had a brilliant 90 minutes in the middle of the park for Amakhosi while striker Tendai Ndoro started but was substituted early into the second half by the Buccaneers. Winger Edmore Chirambadare spent the entire 90 minutes on the bench for Chiefs while defender Teenage Hadebe, who recently signed for Chiefs missed out on making his Soweto Derby debut due to a groin injury.
The match was broadcast live on Zimpapers’ radio station Star FM, which meant Zimbabweans without access to television were kept updated on what was transpiring at FNB Stadium. A 10th minute goal by striker Bernard Parker gave Chiefs victory in the seventh edition of the Carling Black Label Cup. Chiefs won the match 1-0.