Man United headed back to SA
14 February
The dates for the third visit of English Premier League giants Manchester United to South Africa have been confirmed. They'll be in the country from 19 to 26 July to take on Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates in the Vodacom Challenge.
United's iconic manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, was in Johannesburg on Tuesday to promote the Challenge.
Ferguson told journalists he was hoping the success enjoyed by the Red Devils following their previous visits would hold true again; after pre-season tours of SA in 1993 and 2006, United went on to win the English Premier League in both seasons.
England's failure to qualify for Euro 2008 is good news for South African football fans, because it means they will get to see a far stronger Man United squad in action than the one that last toured the country.
Two years ago, 14 of the club's players were missing because of World Cup commitments. This time around only five players will be at Euro 2008.
Match schedule
The format of the Vodacom Challenge guarantees the current English Premier League champions a place in the final. Traditional rivals Chiefs and Pirates will scrap it out for the right to face United for the silverware.
The Challenge opens on 19 July at Newlands in Cape Town, with the Amakhosi tackling the Red Devils in a repeat of the 2006 final.
On 22 July, it's the turn of Pirates to test their mettle against the English giants. Durban's Absa Stadium will host the big clash.
Two days later, the Soweto derby takes place far from home at Telkom Park in Port Elizabeth. With a place in the final at stake, the atmosphere will be, as is traditionally the case, electric.
Loftus Stadium in Pretoria will host the winner on 26 July. It will be another opportunity for Manchester United to win the title after they lost out to Chiefs on penalties two years ago.
'Looking forward to
returning'
Sir Alex Ferguson told reporter Gemma Thompson: "We really enjoyed our visit in 2006. The atmosphere in all the stadiums and the enthusiasm from the fans helped make for a great trip. All the facilities were first-class and I am looking forward to returning."
During their 2006 tour, United took on the same glamour clubs they'll face this time around. They beat Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 and Orlando Pirates 4-0 on their way to the final of the Vodacom Challenge, where Chiefs beat them 4-3 on penalties.
When the Red Devils toured South Africa in 1993, they took on Arsenal in Johannesburg, losing 2-0, before playing to a 1-1 draw against Kaizer Chiefs three days later.
The Vodacom Challenge
The Vodacom Challenge has become an annual fixture, featuring South Africa's two most popular clubs in a three-way competition against a top overseas club, with a format that guarantees the visiting side a place in the final.
In 2007 it was the turn of Tottenham Hotspur, who were ruthless in winning all three matches they played, including a dominating 3-0 victory over Orlando Pirates in the final, played before a crowd of about 40 000 at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria.
In their meeting with Pirates earlier the same week in Cape Town, Spurs won 2-1, avenging their 2-1 loss to "The Buccaneers" in 2003.
SAinfo reporter
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