The Carling Black Label Cup is less than a month away and it’s hardly a surprise that the excitement continues to grow, with fans of the beautiful game having a big say in a competition that has become part of South African football culture.
Carling Black Label hosted an interactive media update session in Johannesburg on Tuesday, October 18, with four legends representing the clubs that will take part in the competition – Mandla Masango (Kaizer Chiefs FC), Phumudzo Manenzhe (Orlando Pirates FC), Hlompho Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns FC) and Tsepo Masilela (AmaZulu FC).
Over 2.2 million votes have been received for players that the champion fans want to see in the starting line-up across the four clubs competing on November 12 at FNB Stadium.
Fans still have an opportunity to vote for their favourite players until the 6th of November 2022and can simply do so by buying a Carling Black Label, and dialling *120*660* Unique Code # to select their club’s starting line-up.
The first semi-final will see Mamelodi Sundowns taking on AmaZulu FC at 09h30, before Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates meet in the second semi-final at 12h00. A penalty shootout at 15h30 will decide who finished third in the competition, before the final is played at 17h00.
What makes this year’s edition even more exciting is that one lucky fan stands the chance of winning the R100 000 cash prize, simply by buying a selected Carling Black Label and voting during the campaign. More great news is that champion fans will also have the opportunity to vote for their team captain and the man of the match in each semi-final and final game.
The legends are excited to see how the fans have been voting for the starting line-ups. Masango, who is no stranger to playing in the Carling Black Label Cup, applauded the Amakhosi faithful for the effort they have made in voting.
“Itumeleng Khune has dominated the voting for a long time now, but I am also happy to see someone like Nkosingiphile Ngcobo in the starting line-up. It shows that the Chiefs fans want to see him playing. I am happy with the line-up so far, but obviously there’s still some time left before the voting closes. We will see how the fans continue to vote.”
His counterpart, Manenzhe, is as confident when it comes to how the Buccaneers have voted.
“The team is well balanced. It’s good to see the new players, Kermit Erasmus and Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo, already in the line-up. It shows that the supporters want to see them playing. I am happy with how well the team is balanced and we must give credit to the Buccaneers.”
Both Kekana and Masilela are delighted that this year’s Carling Black Label is inclusive and it’s evident in this year’s theme ‘Avulekile Amasango’.
“I am happy with the line-up so far. I also hope that some of the other players like Bongani Zungu and Sipho Mbule will get an opportunity. As you know at Sundowns, we love winning trophies. So this is a trophy we will be going for to add to the cabinet. I am happy that Sundowns is part of the competition and we’ve got to give credit to the supporters for voting,” Kekana said.
Masilela agreed with Kekana’s sentiment’s on the campaign.
“It’s great that AmaZulu is going to be part of the campaign. The supporters played their part by voting for AmaZulu to participate and now they can choose who they want to see playing. So far, I’d say the starting line-up looks good and is strong to compete.”
Arne Rust, Carling Black Label brand director, has assured champion fans that their votes won’t go to waste, as they will be given a chance to direct them elsewhere should their favourite player be deemed unfit to participate in the match day full day affair on the 12th of November, which will take place at FNB Stadium.
“If a player is voted into the starting XI but is then unavailable due to injury, fans who voted for the said player get their votes back and can make another choice,” explained Rust.
“If you voted for a particular player 10 times, you will have a chance to use those 10 votes on someone else – the only thing is you can’t spread them around more than one player.” he added.
Fans are encouraged to get their tickets to enjoy a day filled with exciting action and entertainment on the field, including an exciting opening ceremony.
Match day tickets can only be purchased through Ticketmaster or on Computicket, including selected Shoprite/Checkers stores. One ticket will grant fans access to a full day of matches and are available in three categories: Level 5 which sells for R80, Level 1 for R140, and Level 2 for R200.
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