Durban — The 10th edition of the Carling Black Label Cup, which took place on Saturday at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, came with a twist.
It was the first time fans were allowed to vote for teams besides Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
All 16 teams in the DStv Premiership could be voted for, and the final four to be selected were Kaizer Chiefs (490 376 votes), Orlando Pirates (354 472 votes), Mamelodi Sundowns (171 717 votes) and AmaZulu FC (144 829 votes).
The first semi-final was between the two new teams – AmaZulu and Sundowns – and it was the latter that came out victorious.
Masandawana won 3-0 through Cassius Mailula, Haashim Domingo and Surprise Ralani. The second semi-final was a Soweto Derby between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.
After a 0-0 draw, Pirates emerged victorious on penalties – winning 6-5 to book their place in the final.
The final was a chance for Sundowns to avenge a 3-0 thumping to the same opponents a few weeks ago. And that’s what happened as they romped to a 4-0 victory.
“Avulekile amasango (the floodgates have opened),” said Carling Black Label’s brand director Arné Rust after the first game of the tournament.
This was both figurative and literal, as Sundowns won 3-0 against Amazulu and then the rain started pouring down.
“What a dream it was for us to include all 16 teams in this competition. I thank Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates for this tournament, and for allowing for other teams’ involvement.”
He compared the Soweto teams’ relationship with this tournament to that of a wedding, as they had experienced both good and bad with it.
As winners, Sundowns pocketed R1 million, Pirates pocketed R250 000 as runners-up and Kaizer Chiefs R200 000 for third place. All teams received R100 000 for being in the voting pool.
Rust added that this edition was a teaser for the upcoming Carling Knockout Cup next season, which is a Carling rebranding of the Telkom Knockout Cup.
“The format will still be the same as the previous Telkom Knockout Cups but we will still involve the fans. At the end of the tournament, the winning team will take on an ‘All-Stars’ team voted for by fans, and will comprise players from the participating teams.”
This year’s edition did not have a super fan, which allows a fan to be the coach for the day, have tactical control, and even sit in the dugout.
“Fans were not in the dugout, but they still had the power to select their teams and players. Instead of a fan in the dugout, there will be a cash prize of R1m. This is due to the added pressures of involving 16 teams.”
Rust said this tournament was used as a platform to address gender-based violence and men’s health.
“This is a campaign to break the cycle of silence, and for men to share their feelings. Carling stands for anything positive in men. If you want to be a champion, you must work hard for it.”
Carling Black Label Cup champions Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena congratulated his side for their performance.
Sundowns used it as a chance to play their whole squad, and their line-up included youth products such as Cassius Mailula, who scored twice in the final.
“We must thank the Motsepe family for their investment in youth development. We have a responsibility to win football matches and then make sure the club has a bright future knowing how much it means to the fans to see some of their own products coming into the first team. It goes well not only for the club, but also for the country.”
In terms of participating in the competition, Mokwena said: “The philosophy of the club and the mandate of Sundowns is to win every football match. It’s just to win – whether training or five-a-sides – we just want to win.”
Daily News