Posted in News on Jul 09, 2007.
Bulgarian international Berbatov scored 23 goals during his 49 appearances for the London side during the 2006/2007 season, while England international Defoe found the back of the net on 18 occasions from his 49 appearances. Bent, who has represented the England international side on two occasions, scored 37 goals in 79 matches during his two-season stay at Charlton Athletic, before signing for Spurs at the end of June.
Republic of Ireland international forward Keane, who scored 22 goals for Spurs last season, and defender Anthony Gardner, are the survivors from the Spurs squad that toured South Africa in 2003 – when they went down 2-1 to Orlando Pirates in Durban and outplayed Kaizer Chiefs 2-0 in Cape Town.
French international under 21 team defender and skipper Younes Kaboul, who signed for Spurs earlier this week from French club Auxerre, and young defender Gareth Bale, who was signed during the off-season from Southampton, will also travel.
England international first choice goalkeeper Paul Robinson will also make the trip, along with Czech goalkeeper Radek Cerny, as well as England Under-21 international Ben Alnwick, who previously did duty between the posts for Sunderland.
Manager Martin Jol said: “The Vodacom Challenge will provide us with a great opportunity to step up our preparations ahead of the start of the Premier League season. Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs are well known sides who will provide particularly tough opposition.
“We already have a strong connection with South Africa from our last visit to the country in 2003 and through our work with SOS Children’s Villages where we have funded a home in Rustenburg.
“The people in South Africa love their football and we look forward to being a part of three exciting matches later this month.”
The week of Vodacom Challenge soccer action, will see four-time winners Kaizer Chiefs up against Spurs at the Absa stadium, Durban on Saturday, July 21 (15h15 kickoff), while Orlando Pirates will play against the English club at the Newlands stadium, Cape Town on Tuesday July 24 (20h35 kickoff).
The Vodacom Challenge derby between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs will be staged at the EPRU stadium in Port Elizabeth, on Thursday July 26 (20h35 kickoff).
The winner of the derby will take on Spurs in the Vodacom Challenge showpiece final, at the Loftus stadium, Pretoria on Saturday July 28 (15h15 kickoff).
The Western Cape Provincial Government, Eastern Cape Provincial Government and Gauteng Provincial Government have gone the extra mile to ensure that world class Vodacom Challenge soccer action will be held in their respective provinces.
The financial input of title sponsor Vodacom and co-sponsors Absa, Macsteel and PEP Stores have made the affordable ticket pricing structure possible. Fifty seven percent of all tickets on sale fall into the lower price bracket of R35 per person.
Tickets for the Vodacom Challenge are on sale at Shoprite, Checkers, Checkers Hyper and Computicket outlets nationwide at the affordable per ticket rates of R35 (East stand), R60 (North and South Stands) and R100 (Main grand stand). All tickets to the Derby in Port Elizabeth are on sale at just R35 each.
The ticket prices have been structured to allow for the all South African supporters to enjoy the Ultimate Vodacom Challenge Soccer Experience.
Match tickets will not be sold at the stadiums on match day.
Event summary
21 July, Kaizer Chiefs vs Tottenham Hotspur, kwaZulu Natal (15h15 kickoff)
24 July, Orlando Pirates vs Tottenham Hotspur, Western Cape (20h35 kickoff)
26 July, Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs, Eastern Cape (20h35 kickoff)
28 July, Final Winner of 26 July match vs Tottenham Hotspur, Gauteng (15h15 kickoff)
