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WINDFALL: Orlando Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and Kaizer Chiefs chairman Kaizer Motaung with the Vodacom Challenge trophy. Photo: SYDNEY SESHIBEDI

 United duo's criticism of R1bn deal labelled a 'mindless tirade' 

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At the same time he delivered a sharp rebuke to the deal's critics.

SuperSport United coach Gavin Hunt and the club's chief operating officer Jose Ferreira had said the massive cash boost from Vodacom for Pirates and Chiefs would distort the player market.

They suggested that with such a big sponsorship and with mining magnate Patrice Motsepe's millions backing Mamelodi Sundowns, these three clubs would turn the other 13 Premiership sides into also-rans in the league.

But Khoza said their criticism was a "mindless tirade".

"I do not know whether to attribute these utterances to ignorance or mischief making. Whichever is the reason, the effect is the same," said Khoza.

"I have been observing with sadness how Hunt has in the last few years resorted to mindless tirades aimed at everyone other than himself - all in his quest to divert attention from his recent lack of achievement."

Ferreira had said it would be difficult for United to retain good players in the face of such potent buying power from Chiefs and Pirates.

Khoza said Hunt had never made "these outbursts" when he was winning the league title. Hunt won the Premier League three seasons in a row with United before Pirates won it in 2010-11 and again this season.

The Pirates boss asked if the statements by Hunt and Ferreira reflected the opinion of the club's owners, MultiChoice.

But United chairman Khulu Sibiya said the coach and COO were entitled to express their opinions.

"I won't muzzle individuals," said Sibiya.

Hunt said he had not said anything personal about Pirates and Chiefs.

Ferreira said it was not about lambasting Chiefs and Pirates.

"What I said was that it will be increasingly difficult for us to compete with them in the market," said Ferreira.

He said the sponsorship was richly deserved because Chiefs and Pirates were the two biggest soccer institutions in South Africa.

Khoza said he felt the need to respond to the criticism because Vodacom was under pressure to defend its investment in soccer.

Attempts to get comment from Vodacom's marketing head Enzo Scarcello drew a blank at the time of going to press.

SuperSport chief executive Happy Ntshingila and MultiChoice CEO Imtiaz Patel said they did not support the views of Hunt and Ferreira.

Patel told Khoza and Amakhosi's chairman Kaizer Motaung that the sponsorship was "a massive development" deserving of congratulations.

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Thu May 23 09:04:37 SAST 2013 ::

May 23, 2012

Ditete

Hunt was phapha, unyaka spait sitla mogumudisa
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May 23, 2012

Keafixa

I LIKE THIS TWO STATEMENTS BY Dr Khoza "I have been observing with sadness how Hunt has in the last few years resorted to mindless tirades aimed at everyone other than himself - all in his quest to divert attention from his recent lack of achievement."

Khoza said Hunt had never made "these outbursts" when he was winning the league title
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May 23, 2012

PHUMA_LANGA_SIKOTHE

tell him Dokotela, all of a sunday une verbal diarrhea cause he's not winning the Lig uya nyanyisa lo!
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May 23, 2012

Makhosini0408

I am a Pirate fan but I understand the tirade Mr Chairman. In the off season, its all about Chiefs and Pirates. Let us revert to the Spectacular and maybe change the voting system.

Mr Hunt, rather than spew bile, please swallow your pride and ask nicely how Mr Khoza and Mr Motaung are doing it and take notes.
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May 23, 2012

MGEEZ

SuperSport chief executive Happy Ntshingila and MultiChoice CEO Imtiaz Patel said they did not support the views of Hunt and Ferreira.
Patel told Khoza and Amakhosi's chairman Kaizer Motaung that the sponsorship was "a massive development" deserving of congratulations.
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Hunt likes to play mind games and if he is not careful he may lose his job!!!

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May 23, 2012

HORATIO7

1 of the purpose of a sponsor is to gain publicity through a brand, so if your brand is marketed professionally like Chiefs & Pirates, chances are you are bound to get a sponsor every now & then so this PSL teams must just market their brand instead of moaning & nagging like Hunt. the least you can do is to take notes of how these teams are doing in their marketing departments.

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May 23, 2012

HORATIO7

by the way, whats wrong with this Picture here, The Coach of the club & Charmain from other 2teams, Is Sir Alex supposed to be in the Pic with the Charmain or maybe Manchester's CEO,

hmmmmmmm hmmmm

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May 23, 2012

WarrenG

Why always the same teams benefit...gonna fukk the league up. Maybe 3 teams should play a tri-team tourny where they play each other team 15 times in the season. Best team wins, and bottom team gets relegated to the ABSA Premier League.
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May 23, 2012

Papage

Tails between the legs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Hunt, you big mouth, come saturday, we will see if is you or the money
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May 23, 2012

Shorts

If you want to get good sponsers, work for them - ixoxo nexoxo liyazigxumela - akukho kwali eyaphandela enye. How many times have we seen Supersport at their own stadium and can hardly fill no occupy half the stadium. Irrespective where these two clubs play you are surely going to have good crowd. I think the remaining 13 clubs must start attending marketing courses and stop complaining. If the two clubs play in the off-season why dont they organise their games on their own. .
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