Sello Rabothata

Sello Rabothata

Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs will be looking to ensure that the coveted Vodacom Challenge trophy returns home, when English champions Manchester United provide the opposition in the 10th edition of the popular tournament.

The event will be held from July 19 to 26.

The men from Old Trafford are set to travel to South Africa with a strong squad which, injury permitting, could include England stars Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand, as well as Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.

Alex Ferguson will lead the Red Devils, and will be looking to set the record straight, after going down in a penalty shootout to Kaizer Chiefs in the final of the 2006 edition.

It was announced yesterday in Midrand that the Challenge will kick off on July 19 with Kaizer Chiefs coming up against Manchester United in Cape Town, then on July 22 Orlando Pirates square up to United in Durban.

East London hosts the derby between Pirates and Chiefs on July 24 for soccer lovers in the Eastern Cape and on July 26 United will come face to face with the winners of the Soweto derby at Loftus in Tshwane.

Brand de Villiers, chief executive of Sail Group, is excited at the prospect of staging the third Vodacom Challenge in its current format.

"With the approach of the Fifa World Cup 2010, all eyes are on the organisation of tournaments such as these in South Africa," he said.

"I am confident that Sail will again stage an event like no other, an event that South Africans can be proud of, and an event that will bring our sponsors' and teams' brands into the lives of their fans forever."

Pirates' chairman Irvin Khoza said: "This time round Manchester United arrive in the country exactly 50 years after the Munich disaster.

"We join in prayer in strengthening the relatives, management and board of directors of Manchester United in commemoration of this day."

Chiefs' chairman Kaizer Motaung said the team will be striving to win back the Vodacom Challenge trophy.