The Carling Black Label Cup, featuring two South African clubs, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, return to the football calendar having not featured last year.
This is a one-day pre-season competition and will see new innovative “game changers” introduced for the clash between the Soweto giants.
This year’s edition was launched last Tuesday (28/05) in Johannesburg.
A feature of the cup is that fans can call the shots instead of the technical teams of the two participating clubs. Fans are afforded the opportunity to select their preferred starting line-up and stand a chance to lead their favourite teams to victory on match day, acting as champion coaches. Two lucky fans stand the chance to be champion coach and work with the technical teams of Chiefs and Pirates.
The brand introduced this unique football spectacle to give fans an unprecedented opportunity to directly influence one of the biggest football rivalries ahead of the upcoming football season.
The organiser, Carling Black Label, has introduced some rules which the fans will have to vote on. In addition to the selection of the starting line-up, fans will have the opportunity to present their opinions on format, technology and the use of social media.
Game changers include, but are not limited to, fourth substitute for goal keeper, captain selection, Twitter substitution, rolling substitutions, yellow card timeout, Twitter selection of man of the match and a microphone on the referee. Voting for game changers will close on 30 June.
Following the selection process, the sponsor, in partnership with the two teams, will endeavour to implement at least one game changer for the match-up. The chosen game changer(s) will be announced in July.
“We truly seek to touch on all aspects of the game and have partnered with the incredible Ian Wright (retired Crystal Palace and Arsenal legend), who has brought some wonderful insight on the direction in which football is heading globally,” said Grant Pereira, the sponsor’s brand director.
