THE 2013 CARLING BLACK LABEL CUP STARTING LINE-UPS

The people have spoken and after a record 22, 2-million votes cast, it is time to reveal the starting line-up for the 2013 Carling Black Label Cup between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs as voted for by the teams’ respective fans. 

The supporter engagement during this year’s Carling Black Label Cup campaign has once surpassed expectations, setting a new benchmark for the number of votes cast and illustrating the passion that fans have for the two Soweto giants and the tournament that allows them to be the Champion coaches. 

With the line-ups complete, the teams can begin their final preparations in earnest for the Derby day clash that will decide who will be crowned the Champion Coaches for 2013, on Saturday 27 July. The match will be played at a sold-out FNB Stadium and watched by millions more at home, hoping to see their selected side to victory. 

Senzo Meyiwa will be in goals for Orlando Pirates, behind a back four of Happy Jele, Rooi Mahamutsa, Lucky Lekgwathi and Thabo Matlaba. Centre-back Siyabonga Sangweni got the most votes among the defenders, but will unfortunately not be able to take to the field of play due to injury. 

The Buccaneers midfield will see Sifiso Myeni, Oupa Manyisa, Andile Jali and Tlou Segolela in what will be a hotly contested area of the match. Up front the team will be led by Ndumiso Mabena and Zambian hitman Collins Mbesuma. Kaizer Chiefs will have Itumeleng Khune as their goalkeeper, with the Bafana Bafana skipper having singularly secured over 2,6 million votes, making him by far the most player from either side. 

The AmaKhosi defence will have Siboniso Gaxa, Tefu Mashamaite, Erick Mathoho and Tsepo Masilela guarding their goalkeeper. In midfielder they will have Josta Dladla, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Siphiwe Tshabalala and George Lebese. And the two Chiefs strikers will be Bernard Parker and Lehlohonolo Majoro, despite a great rally from Knowledge Musona, who was signed just a few weeks ago. 

The 2013 Carling Black Label Cup will be played over 90 minutes (two halves of 45 minutes each). If the score is level at the final whistle, the winning team will be determined via penalty shoot-out as no extra-time will be played. 

The Champion coaches for the 2013 Carling Black Label Cup have also been selected and they will enjoy a once in a lifetime match-day experience, joining the teams in their build-up, visiting the dressing-room and sitting on the bench during the game. Life-long AmaKhosi fan Teboho Letube, 24, from Orlando West has won the opportunity to spend the day with Kaizer Chiefs. Khotso Mfati, 31, from Pretoria is the Champion Coach for his beloved Orlando Pirates, who he has supported since the age of 10. 

The fan participation does not end with the selection of the lineups though, they will also be voting for the first substitution of the game on the 50 minute, this year deciding who they would like to bring on from the bench. They can do this by sms: 30671 (Kaizer Chiefs) and 30672 (Orlando Pirates) and select the player they wish to put onto the field (two entries per supporter). They will then be asked to choose the position of the player – Goalkeeper, Defender, Midfielder or Striker – and then the actual person they wish to introduce to the game. 

The substitution mechanic is a change from the first two years, when supporters voted for who they would like to take off. 

This way round is more tactical, whereby they must think which player on the bench will best influence the game by coming on. Meanwhile, the line-up for the entertainment on match day is a real treat for fans who will come to the sold out venue, with some of South Africa’s top acts set to strut their stuff. DJ Vetkuk vs. Mahoota, Mandla Spikiri and Professor will perform before the match starts, while the halftime entertainment will come from Dr Malinga. Gates at the FNB Stadium will open at 12:00 on match day ahead of the 15:30 kick-off.