14 May 2014
The battle lines have been drawn in what is expected to be the most hotly contested match in the four-year history of the Carling Black Label Cup. Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates will renew one of the great rivalries of world football when they meet at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium on 26 July.
Since its inception, the Carling Black Label Cup has been eagerly embraced by fans, who have had an unprecedented say in the composition of the teams, with the starting line-ups decided by the number of votes cast for the players.
Huge numbers of votes
In 2013, an incredible 22.2-million votes were cast. In 2012, the number was 20- million, which almost doubled the 10.5-million of the previous year.
The format that allows football fans to participate in the Carling Black Label Cup by voting in the starting line-up of their favourite team has remained largely the same. One exception this time around is that fans will be encouraged to select a full starting eleven, as opposed to just one player.
As was the case in previous years, supporters will also be able to make the substitution changes on match day, by voting in players they think will influence game, as they look to steer their side to victory.
How to enter
To enter, fans over the age of 18 should purchase a specially branded Carling Black Label beer bottle or can and look for the unique number code on the under-liner of the bottle top or can ring pull). They must then dial *120*764* followed by the unique code found on the under liner and the # key.
Those steps will them allow them to choose the team they would like to manage, and their starting line-up.
An exciting addition to this year’s voting process is the option of voting online via www.carlingblacklabel.co.za. On the website, fans will be able to vote for their starting line-up, view their current team and have access to exclusive content about the campaign.
Coach’s experience
Supporters who cast their votes for the one of the team’s starting line-ups stand a chance to win great prizes, including the unique champion coach’s experience the Carling Black Label Cup is known for, with either Kaizer Chiefs or Orlando Pirates on match day.
The once in a life-time opportunity will allow two lucky adult fans to see their team in training, sit in on the pre-match briefing and sit with their favourite team in the dugout.
All supporters who cast their votes for all eleven positions in their team’s starting line-up will be automatically entered into this competition.
A weekly winner from each team will be will be invited to a final judging event, where they will be given competitive tasks to complete under the watchful eye of judging panel, as they vie for the final spots to join their respective teams on the day as consumer coaches.
Previous results
Last year, Kaizer Chiefs, after winning the PSL title, also won the Carling Black Label Cup. In their third attempt at victory in the clash, they defeated Orlando Pirates 1- 0.
The Buccaneers were PSL champions when they won the first two editions of the Carling Black Label Cup, with both wins coming from the penalty spot in shoot-outs after closely-contested clashes.
The first match in 2011 ended 0-0, with Pirates taking the honours 4-3 win on penalties. In 2012, the encounter finished 1-1 before the Buccaneers clinched the silverware 5-4 in the shootout in a stadium filled to capacity. The crowd of almost 93 000 established an all-time attendance record for a football event in South Africa.
This year, for the first time, neither team is the league title holder. Now, though, they have an opportunity to win silverware by getting the better of their fierce rivals.
SAinfo reporter
