United face Kaizer Chiefs for Vodacom Cup

Come on United.
By Chris,
July 26 2008

Manchester United battle it out with the Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday with the Vodacom Challenge Trophy on the line. The Chiefs secured a 2-0 victory over the Orlando Pirates on Thursday evening and thus won the opportunity to face Sir Alex Ferguson’s men for a second time. United will be hoping to win revenge for their 2006 penalty shoot-out defeat against the 'Glamour Boys'.

The Chiefs certainly look the stronger of the two South African clubs competing in this year's tournament.

They held United to a 1-1 draw in the opening game - then comfortably brushed aside the Pirates 2-0 in Port Elizabeth.

The tournament's format is heavily in favour of the visiting European club. United play exhibition matches against the Chiefs and the Pirates - but are automatically put through to the final regardless of their results in these matches.

Chiefs boss Muhsin Ertugral is sweating over the fitness of strike duo Jose Torrealba and Kaizer Motaunt Jr ahead of the game. Both players were on the scoresheet against the Pirates this week.

United have flown reserve-team starlets Rodrigo Possebon, Tom Cleverley and Craig Cathcart to South Africa and all three will be hoping to play some part in the game. The youngsters have been included with United facing two games in two days thanks to the bizarre, money-driven friendly in Nigeria against Portsmouth on Sunday.

The Red Devils were the first European team to be invited to compete for the Vodacom Challenge Cup in 2006. United lost to the Chiefs in the final that year - with Ben Foster and Chris Eagles missing penalty-kicks after a 0-0 draw.

Come on United - let's pick up some silverware.