2009 Vodacom Challenge
Introduction 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.This was the first time that Manchester City had taken part in the Vodacom Challenge.
Tournament history 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 The 2010 Vodacom Challenge was skipped, due to the World Cup being organised in South Africa, during the months of June and July.
Venues 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'''    150px
Manchester City Squad for 2009 Vodacom Challenge 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. **** '''''* Will only be available for the final on July 25.'''''
Fixtures ===First round=== '''ORLANDO PIRATES:''' GK '''16'''Moneed JosephsRB '''38'''Zvenyika MakoneseCB '''3'''Kiaku   CB '''28'''Rooi MahamutsaLB '''32'''Lucas Thwala  RM '''14'''Lucky LekgwathiCM '''36'''Oupa Manyisa   CM '''5'''Dikgang MabalaneLM '''42'''Bennet Chenene   CF '''25'''Rudzani Ramudzuli   CF '''40'''Promise Mthembu    '''Substitutes:'''MF '''24'''Joseph Makhanya   '''7'''Joseph Kamwendo  MF '''12'''Thembile Kanono    CF '''15'''Irvin Mhlambi    '''9'''Destin NakicaMF '''20'''Reason Chiloane   GK '''1'''Senzo MeyiwaCF '''8'''Phenyo Mogale   DF '''17'''Lehlohonolo Seema'''Manager:''' Ruud Krol '''MANCHESTER CITY:''' GK '''12'''Stuart TaylorRB '''5'''Pablo ZabaletaCB '''26''' Tal Ben HaimCB '''15''' Javier GarridoLB '''40'''Vladimír WeissRM '''7''' Stephen Ireland   CM '''41'''Ben MeeCM '''6'''Michael JohnsonLM '''17'''Martin Petrov  CF '''9'''Valeri Bojinov   CF '''39''' Craig Bellamy       '''Substitutions:'''GK  '''37'''Shay GivenDF '''50'''Ryan McGivernMF '''34'''Nigel de Jong  CF '''20'''Felipe Caicedo  AM  '''8'''Shaun Wright-PhillipsMF '''18'''Gareth BarryCF '''27'''Benjani  MF '''36'''Javan Vidal'''Manager:''' Mark Hughes---- '''KAIZER CHIEFS:''' GK '''32'''Itumeleng KhuneRB '''20''' Tshifiwa MmbooiCB '''31'''Punch MasenamelaCB '''13''' Valery Nahayo   LB '''3''' Langu SwesweRM '''8''' Tinashe NengomashaCM '''22''' Mandla Masango   CM '''6'''Reneilwe Letsholonyane   LM '''24'''David MathebulaCF '''11'''Abia Nale   CF '''7'''Kaizer Motaung Junior '''Substitutes:'''GK  '''16'''Thela NgobeniDF '''77'''José TorrealbaMF '''17'''George LebeseDF '''29'''Zhiamu Jambo  '''28'''Lawrence MolekwaneMF '''18'''Arthur ZwaneDF '''4'''Elliot RooiMF '''9'''Josta Dladla  CF '''23'''Tshepo BuluCF '''10'''Mthokozisi Yende  MF '''27'''Gerald SibekoCF '''21'''Knowledge Musona  CF  '''19'''Nkosinathi NhlekoMF '''33'''Jeffrey Ntuka  GK '''30'''Abel Metsimetsi'''Manager:''' Vladimir Vermezović '''MANCHESTER CITY:''' GK '''12'''Stuart TaylorRB '''5'''Pablo ZabaletaCB '''41''' Ben MeeCB '''50''' Ryan McGivernLB '''3'''Wayne Bridge   RM '''8''' Shaun Wright-Phillips   CM '''34'''Nigel de JongCM '''18'''Gareth Barry      LM '''29'''Kelvin EtuhuCF '''7'''Stephen Ireland      CF '''20''' Felipe Caicedo       '''Substitutions:'''GK  '''37'''Shay GivenMF '''36'''Javan Vidal  DF '''15'''Javier Garrido  AM '''17'''Martin Petrov  MF  '''40'''Vladimír Weiss  CF '''27'''Benjani    CF '''9'''Valeri Bojinov  '''Manager:''' Mark Hughes===Soweto Derby===---- '''ORLANDO PIRATES:''' GK '''16'''Moneed JosephsRB '''28'''Rooi Mahamutsa CB '''19'''Innocent MdledleCB '''32'''Lucas ThwalaLB '''17'''Lehlohonolo SeemaRM '''5'''Dikgang Mabalane CM '''7'''Joseph Kamwendo    CM '''3'''Kiaku    LM '''21'''Katlego Mashego   CF '''15'''Irvin Mhlambi    CF '''12'''Phenyo Mogale  '''Substitutes:'''GK '''29'''Robert ModiadieMF '''14'''Lucky LekgwathiMF '''2'''Benson Mhlongo   DF '''38'''Zvenyika Makonese   '''9'''Destin NakicaMF '''36'''Oupa Manyisa     '''11'''Tsholofelo Modise  MF  '''24'''Joseph MakhanyaMF '''30'''Lebogang MothibantwaMF '''42'''Bennet Chenene    '''8'''Andile JaliMF '''40'''Promise Mthembu'''Manager:''' Ruud Krol '''KAIZER CHIEFS:''' GK '''32'''Itumeleng KhuneRB '''31'''Punch Masenamela CB '''28'''Lawrence MolekwaneCB '''3''' Langu Sweswe    LB '''33'''Jeffrey Ntuka RM '''6'''Reneilwe Letsholonyane    CM '''22''' Mandla Masango   CM '''24'''David Mathebula  LM '''9'''Josta Dladla  CF '''11'''Abia NaleCF '''21'''Knowledge Musona     '''Substitutes:'''GK  '''16'''Thela NgobeniDF '''20''' Tshifiwa Mmbooi DF '''29'''Zhiamu Jambo DF '''4'''Elliot Rooi MF '''8''' Tinashe Nengomasha   MF '''27'''Gerald Sibeko  MF '''17'''George LebeseMF '''18'''Arthur Zwane  CF '''10'''Mthokozisi Yende CF '''23'''Tshepo BuluCF '''77'''José Torrealba  CF '''19'''Nkosinathi Nhleko GK '''30'''Abel Metsimetsi '''Manager:''' Vladimir Vermezović===Final===----'''Vodacom Challenge''''''2009 Winners''''''Kaizer Chiefs''''''5th Title'''
References
External links *  Vodacom Challenge.com