Champion coaches battle for final two spots

With a month to go before the much anticipated 2014 edition of the Carling Black Label Cup, ten “Champion Coaches” have been selected to battle it out for the top spot of being the champion coach for their respective teams, during the Soweto derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates based in the South at FNB stadium on July 26.

As part of the prize, the two winning Champion Coaches, one from each side, will have breakfast with their team, attend team training sessions, be part of the announcement of the starting line-ups live on national TV, sit in on the pre-match briefing and take their place on the bench with their favourite teams on match day.

Carling Black Label Cup Champion Coach finalists on the Kaizer Chiefs side are Thulasizwe Mathonsi from Tembisa, Lebogang Moagi from Orlando, Soweto, Matshediso Kgeletsane from Brakpan, Elias Tumelo Motaung from Deneysville and Tebogo Molekoa from Soshanguve.

On the Orlando Pirates side, finalists are Ntsako Mbhalati, who hails from Pimville, Rowan Sampson from Port Elizabeth, Christopher Mhlope from Randfontein, Mpho Magomola from Rustenburg and Cornelius Motsepe from Orlando West.

The 24-year-old Mbhalati is excited to have made it as one of the finalists, and says he wants to prove that ordinary fans on the stands have the football knowledge that makes them more than just armchair coaches.

“I think there is great football knowledge out there, and through the Champion Coaches initiative, we can prove that,” he said. “This is a great opportunity to show that fans have a deeper understanding than what many people think, and Carling Black Label should be congratulated for coming up with this amazing concept.”

All finalists will face a stringent selection panel of experts on Saturday July 19, which includes a series of tasks that will test their true mettle and passion, before the winners are announced.

Although the finalists for the Carling Black Label Cup Champion Coaches competition have been selected, fans are encouraged to continue voting for their starting line-ups, until July 22 when voting closes, to make sure that the players they need to take their teams to victory are on show.

To do this fans over the age of 18 can start by purchasing a Carling Black Label beer and they can either dial *120*764* or visit the website www.carlingblacklabel.co.za