As Mzansi Diski lovers prepare for a first of its kind Carling Black Label Cup, featuring four Premier Soccer League (PSL) teams selected by the supporters, Champion Fans are encouraged to book their match day tickets early and avoid disappointment. This year’s Carling Black Label Cup will see four matches take place on the 12th of November at the FNB Stadium, starting with a semi-final between Mamelodi Sundowns and Amazulu FC set for a 09h30 kick-off. Tickets can only be purchased through Ticketmaster or Computicket (including selected Shoprite/Checkers stores). One ticket will grant fans access to a full day of matches (please note no pass outs) and are available in three categories: Level 5 which sells for R80, Level 1 – R140, and Level 2 for R200. The FNB stadium also offers hospitality packages which are sold through SAIL at www.sail.co.za
As the preparations start to heat up, Champion Fans still have an opportunity to take charge of their teams and select their preferred players to take on their opponents. Should a player they have selected pick up an injury just before the big day, Arne Rust, Carling Black Label director, has assured Champion Fans that their votes will not go to waste, as they will be given a chance to direct them elsewhere should their favourite player be deemed unfit to participate.
Fans have been hard at work selecting their starting XI and have until the 6th of November to select their teams for both semifinals, with AmaZulu taking on Mamelodi Sundowns in the first game at 09h30; and the Soweto Giants, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs clashing in the second game at 12h00. There will be a penalty-shootout to determine third place at 15h30, with the final following at 17h00.
“If a player is voted into the starting XI but is then unavailable due to injury, fans who voted for the said player will get their votes back and can make another choice,” explained Rust. “If you voted for a particular player 10 times, you will have a chance to use those 10 votes on someone else – the only thing is you cannot spread them around more than one player.”
With just under two weeks to go, fans have already made some interesting selections throughout the campaign period. In last week’s line-up Champion Coaches of Kaizer Chiefs, had selected a team without a right-back as they chose Erick Mathoho, Edmilson Dove, Sfiso Hlanti and Njabulo Ngcobo as their four-man defense. Dove has since been replaced by Reeve Frosler this week. Up front, the two players leading the votes so far are Caleb Bimenyimana partnered with Keagan Dolly. While at Orlando Pirates, Fortune Makaringe has entered the fray in midfield after garnering nearly 10,000 votes. The Masandawana faithfuls have also gone for an uncommon selection as they currently have two right-backs in Khuliso Mudau and Thapelo Morena. While the Champion Coaches of AmaZulu have opted for a pretty settled team which does not differ too much from their recent lineups, with the exception that Captain, Makhehleni Makhaula who is not in the current Carling Black Label team.
Fans still have an opportunity to make additional changes to their team, and ensure a victory for their team.
“We had more than 1,4-million votes which fans cast to select their preferred four teams, and now we have nearly 2,5-million votes cast for the starting line-ups. This shows that there’s a huge interest in this exciting Cup game. We anticipate even more votes will come through as fans want to take ownership of team selection as well as the selection of the team captain’s which fans can vote for from the 7th of November 2022. Voting as many times as you can has a reward as one lucky fan will win R100 000 – just for voting!” added Rust.
To vote, football fans over the age of 18 can purchase a selected Carling Black Label beer and dial *120*660*unique code#; and select their starting line-up. Entry is 20c per 20 seconds on USSD and free for Vodacom users.
To stay up to date with any further announcements, consumers should check the official brand website and social media pages:
Website: https://www.carlingblacklabelcup.co.za/
Twitter: @blacklabelsa
Facebook: Carling Black Label
Instagram: @carlingblacklabel
Official Hashtag: #CarlingCup
INFO SUPPLIED.
