SISA MAJOLA

JOHANNESBURG - With the country still euphoric following the World Cup, the Telkom Charity Cup was officially launched in Johannesburg yesterday morning.

The three-match one-day tournament will be making a return to Soccer City this season after being held outside Johannesburg for the past three seasons.

The annual season opener has been played in the North West for three seasons while the world-class 95 000 seater in Soweto – host to the World Cup final a week ago – was being reconstructed.

It was staged at a rain-marred Rustenburg last year, while in the two preceding years it was held at Mmabatho Stadium in Mafikeng, with both venues holding far less spectators than the new African Colosseum.

“The Spectacular”, as this Cup is referred to in local soccer circles, will be played on August 7 with the public voting for the four participating Premiership teams through a telephonic voting line.

The lines are now open with all 16 clubs being allocated exclusive numbers for the fans to use.

On match day there will be two knockout semifinal matches played early in the day, with the final taking place in the afternoon to determine the outright winner.

The champions for the last two seasons have been Orlando Pirates, who beat Platinum Stars in last year’s final at Royal Bafokeng Stadium to claim their seventh overall title win.

Their arch-rivals though, Kai- zer Chiefs, have won this competition the most times, with 10 crowns since its inception in 1986.

But the biggest purpose of staging this event is to benefit various non-profit charity organisations across the country.

Over R40-million has been donated to needy causes in the charity’s 24-year history, with this year’s target set at R5-million.

“Year after year, South Africa’s football family has opened its hearts and wallets to those less fortunate than themselves,” said Leepile Taunyane, the league’s life president and chairman of the Charity Trust.

“Many relish the opportunity of ensuring that the invaluable work performed by the benefiting charities is sustainable.”

All voting lines will officially close on August 1.