Victory over Orlando Pirates in the Vodacom Challenge Soweto Derby at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Thursday, July 23 (20h15 kickoff), will not only guarantee his team a place in the 10th anniversary grand finale of the world-class club tournament against Manchester City, but will also see him get his SA coaching career off to a great start with the passionate Kaizer Chiefs supporters.

“Friendly games don’t get played anymore, and in this era of professional soccer, every game is a must-win,” said Vermezovic, who is from Serbia.

“Playing against one of the world’s riche

st clubs in Durban on Tuesday, July 21 will be a tremendous honour for me as well as my players, but at the end of the day, Orlando Pirates, in sporting terms, is our age old rival and it is a result that must come our way.”

“The Vodacom Challenge matches will also outline the way in which the players respond to my style of soccer strategies and I am really looking forward to the tournament.”

Amakhosi winger Josta Dladla added: “The new coach definitely appears to be the type of mentor that we, as players, can work with. SA soccer doesn’t come any bigger than a Soweto Derby match and facing a world-class club like Manchester City is a huge bonus for us. Brazilian striker Robinho is extremely skilful and he is one of many fine players that I am looking forward to taking on.”

Like Dladla, attacking midfielder Abia Nale, who joined Kaizer Chiefs from Golden Arrows in January, will be on his debut in the Vodacom Challenge.

“This tournament presents a great platform for local players to showcase their skills on an international level and I am looking forward to taking on Manchester City, and of course, the big Derby against Orlando Pirates,” said Nale.

Kaizer Motaung JR, who joined Jose Torrealba on the score-sheet during the Amakhosi’s 2-0 win over Orlando Pirates in Port Elizabeth last year, will be hoping that Vodacom Challenge Soweto Derby history will repeat itself: “We are a Club that thrives on winning titles and having won the Vodacom Challenge on four previous occasions, we will be out to win the trophy in the 10th anniversary of the tournament.”

Another player keen on making his mark as part of a successful Kaizer Chiefs team, is Zimbabwean international midfield Tinashe Nengomasha – who has played for Kaizer Chiefs in the Vodacom Challenge tournament since 2001.

“My best memory of the Vodacom Challenge was helping Kaizer Chiefs to beat TP Mazembe in my first year with the club,” said Nengomasha.

“Besides wanting to beat Orlando Pirates in the Derby in Port Elizabeth, I am just as excited about putting in a good showing against Manchester City. My Zimbabwean national captain Benjani Mwaruwari is likely to be in the Manchester City squad. We may both be Zimbabweans, but out on the field, we both want the best for our respective Clubs.”

The Limpopo capital of Polokwane will play host to the opening match between Orlando Pirates and Manchester City, at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday, July 18 (15h00 kickoff), before Kaizer Chiefs take on the visiting club at the ABSA Stadium in Durban on Tuesday, July 21 (20h15 kickoff).

The winner of the Vodacom Challenge Soweto Derby between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs on Thursday, July 23 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, will take on Manchester City in the showpiece final at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Tshwane on Saturday, July 25 (15h00 kickoff).

The 10th anniversary of the Vodacom Challenge is made possible through the phenomenal support of title sponsor Vodacom as well as PEP, Metrorail, SABC Sport, KwaZulu Natal Provincial Government, Eastern Cape Provincial Government and Limpopo Provincial Government.

Tickets for this world-class club soccer are on sale at Computicket, Shoprite Checkers and Checkers-Hyper outlets nationwide.

For the opening leg of the tournament in Polokwane, tickets are on sale at R100 per ticket (main grandstand, unreserved seating) and R45 per ticket (open seating and unreserved).

The Absa stadium in Durban has been the scene of many thrilling Vodacom Challenge encounters over the years, and tickets for the encounter between Kaizer Chiefs and Manchester City, are on sale at R150 per ticket (main grandstand, reserved), R100 per ticket (north and south stands reserved), R75 per ticket (east stand lower, reserved) and R45 pert ticket (east stand upper, unreserved).

Tickets for the Vodacom Challenge Soweto Derby in Port Elizabeth are much sought after at R45 each.

Match tickets for the Vodacom Challenge final can be purchased at a cost of R150 each (main grandstand, reserved), R100 (north and south stands, reserved), R75 each (east lower stand, reserved) and R45 each (east upper stand unreserved).