‘Beer Cup’ will sort out the boys from the men

Its all systems go as the wait for the biggest pre-season game in South African football zeros in which will sort out the boys from the men on August 1.

The game-changing Carling Black Label Cup will be played at the iconic Orlando Stadium which has seen many derbies before. This including the original Soweto derby between Orlando Pirates and the Dube Birds as Moroka Swallows, now named Swallows FC, was known then.

The ‘Beer Cup’ as it is infamously known, makes a return after a year-long hiatus in 2020 following the outbreak of the pandemic. As a build-up to this exciting encounter, a virtual media conference was organised on July 21 at FNB Stadium in Soweto to provide an update on progress so far before the big day.

In attendance were Carling Black Label brand director Arné Rust, former Kaizer Chiefs midfield maestro Reneilwe Letsholonyane, former Orlando Pirates lethal striker Phumudzo Manenzhe and another former Buccaneer Dikgang Mabalane. Former Banyana Banyana star skipper Amanda Dlamini and a surprise guest AmaZulu coach Benni McCarthy were also present.

“The response from our fans has been absolutely electric with over two million votes received. I think people are looking for something that they can control when the world is spinning slightly out of control, and we’ve seen how the adoring fans of South African football have interacted with the campaign. People are just loving the fact they have so much power,” Rust said.

Chiefs’ Samir Nurkovic is leading the votes for the penalty taker, with Khama Billiat and Itumeleng Khune right behind him in second and third place respectively. On the Pirates side, Zakhele Lepasa leads the votes for penalty takers, with Gabadinho Mhango and Happy Jele in second and third respectively. “I am happy with how the Chiefs fans have voted for the penalty taker.

Chiefs supporters are always coming to the party when it comes to voting and they vote for players who they believe will represent the team well on the day. I am impressed with how they have been choosing players so far,” Letsholonyane said. Like Letsholonyane, former Pirates striker Manenzhe has given credit to Pirates supporters for the choices they have made with the votes.

“I think the Buccaneers have chosen very well when it comes to the penalty takers and I am happy with those options. “They have given the young man, Lepasa, a lot of responsibility. I thought he had a great season for Pirates before he got injured. They have chosen him to be the number one penalty taker. There is Mhango our option two and option three is captain fantastic, Jele. So, I would say I am happy with those options,” Manenzhe added.

Both clubs’ supporters seem to be in favour of the traditional 4-4-2 formation and Dlamini has credited Carling Black Label for introducing formations as part of the ‘game-changers’.

“Formations now are a part of modern football, where it’s just a matter of getting the proper structure and influence in how teams defend and how they go forward. We want people to be aware of formations and statistics. “Modern football does dictate that you don’t necessarily have to have speed or skill or endurance, but you have to have tactical awareness. My preferred formation is a 4-3-3. I think if I were a coach, my team would play in a 4-3-3 formation most of the time,” she said.

Two lucky supporters over the age of 18 will get the ultimate experience of being ‘Champion’ coaches on match day, but they will also be part of the pre-match build-up and lead the team out from the dugout. They are to be announced when voting closes.