Kotoko to play in Vodacom Tournament in July

It will be a repeat of last year’s Vodacom Challenge final when defending champions Kaizer Chiefs take on crack Ghanaian outfit Asante Kotoko in the semifinals of this year's competition. The 4th annual Vodacom Challenge kicks off in Mmabatho on July 7 with Chiefs playing against Kotoko - who comes into this competition with a record nine consecutive league match wins in the Ghanaian league - in the second semifinals at 15:00 in Mmabatho Stadium.

Amakhosi lifted their second Vodacom Challenge title with a penalty shot out win over the Ghanaians in Durban. A third victory for Amakhosi will see them retain the original kudu horn trophy.

Orlando Pirates – who have been itching to take possession of the trophy for two years - will take on Democratic Republic of Cong club St Eloi-Lupopo in the first semifinals at 12:30 in the same venue. The winners of the two semifinals will contest the final at Absa Park in Durban on July 14.

St Eloi-Lupopo are a new-comer to the prestigious Vodacom Challenge and seem determined to make their mark when they face off against Pirates.

St Eloi-Lupopo will be a painful reminder of Pirates' unceremonious exit from the African Champions League following a 4-2 aggregate defeat by DRC side TP Mazembe two months ago.

"The Vodacom Challenge has become an important event on the African soccer calendar. It affords our local clubs the opportunity to bridge their off-season with the new season in a very exciting and entertaining way,” said Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza.

Co-patron of the Vodacom Challenge and Chiefs managing director Kaizer Motaung added that the tournament has a further significant role to play. “It is traditionally tied to a meaningful social investment project.

"Last year we broke away from our regular charity approach to focus on using the event as a way to bring a healing process amongst all soccer fans. This was due to the fact that all team who participated in the tournament had all been recently touched by stadium tragedies. This year our goal is to bring attention to HIV/AIDS awareness,” said Motaung.

The Amakhosi boss further commended the women behind the success of the Vodacom Challenge, Emy Casaletti-Page, Zodwa Khoza and Vivian Casaletti saying had it not being for their passion and commitment the tournament would have never been such a success.

The Vodacom Foundation and Standard Bank Foundation will be responsible for implementing the social investment project linked to the tournament.

There will be visits to schools in the vicinity of Mmabatho and Absa Stadiums, where players will be adopting an edutainment approach by signing autographs, running promotions and conducting mini soccer clinics with the youngsters to raise awareness about AIDS.

"Not only is the Vodacom Challenge an event that provides a showcase to Africa’s best football teams in action, it is a window to how we can tackle the pandemic of AIDS together as one,” said Vodacom Group CEO Andrew Mthembu.

"It further illustrates the power of Vodacom in sport and in particular soccer and how through these mediums we can build a better, stronger Africa for all,” he said.