Since the inception of the Carling Black Label Cup, an integral part of the campaign has been an opportunity afforded to two lucky fans, to be part of the Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates’ technical teams.
The lucky winners will join their respective teams for a few days in the build-up towards the big day and will get to engage in various team activities including; announcement of the starting line-ups live on national TV, breakfast with the team, attend training sessions, be part of the match day briefing and sit on the dugout on match day.
This is a unique concept that has managed to capture the interest of South African football fans. The previous winners, Kgotso Mfati, an Orlando Pirates fan and Tebogo Letube, a Kaizer Chiefs fan can attest to that.
The ‘Be The Champion Coach’ campaign provides fans an opportunity to experience what it’s like to be a coach on the big day, when Soweto giants; Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates take on each other at FNB Stadium on July 26.
According to Mfati, this concept was just too good to be true and he did not take it seriously. This was three years ago, when he first heard of it.
Mfati is a self-proclaimed die-hard Orlando Pirates supporter, he only started taking note of the campaign in 2012. “After seeing a fellow fan Lazarus Moeng holding the trophy and celebrating with the players, I knew I had to be part of the experience,” he said.
Almost a year after that, the 32 year old, was the one experiencing his 90 minutes of fame. He might not have claimed the third successive victory for his team, but Mfati still reminisces on the day as if it was yesterday.
“When I first got introduced to the team, I was nervous, it took me about 60 seconds to find my feet and eventually I uttered my first words,” he added.
Mfati went on to mention that, he would not trade his experience for anything as he has a better knowledge of football now.
The iconic fan says one of his best moments was when he had to tell Daine Klate to go warm up, and discussing with him technical changes by the side line prior to his substitution.
For the Soweto born and Kaizer Chiefs fan Tebogo Letube, this was like a dream come true. Letube will always be remembered as that coach who handed Kaizer Chiefs their first Carling Black Label Cup victory.
On the other hand, Letube, Kaizer Chiefs fan, says his champion moment was when Kaizer Chiefs Football Manager, Bobby Motaung handed over the team to him. “The players then started addressing me as “Coach” and that meant a lot to me,” he said
“It was nothing I have ever experienced; the players were dancing and singing like warriors ready for war. Truly motivated – it’s no surprise we won on the day,” he added
According to Black Label, more fans can still have the same experience just bypurchasing a Carling Black Label beer and either dialing *120*764* or going to www.carlingblacklabel.co.za.
They must then enter their unique code found on the underside of the bottle cap or can pull ring and the # sign (with no spaces in between), then choose the team they would like to manage, and the players they would like to see start.
Fans can further join the Coaches Forum to take part in the football conversation and to gain access to the question of the week.
