The MTN 8 is reportedly the oldest cup competition in the country and pits the eight best teams from the previous season against each other in a seeded knockout competition format.
“As the only African global sponsor of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, MTN has shown its passion for football. Through the MTN 8 competition we are taking that passion and giving South African football fans the opportunity to see the best clubs in the country competing for the lucrative R8 million, winner takes all prize - Wafa Wafa! (which loosely translated means ‘last man standing'),” said Pieter Verkade, chief marketing officer of MTN SA.
While the winner takes all, each team will receive R800 000 for participating in the tournament.
He said that the MTN 8 Wafa Wafa will be more than just a competition, but a festival of football that encourages fans to celebrate their passion for the beautiful game. Throughout the duration of the MTN 8 Wafa Wafa, fans will be able to compete in the “Last Fan Standing” competition.
“Just like the teams, we encourage the fans to go all out and demonstrate their passion for the game and their club, to determine who the ultimate football supporter of the MTN 8 Wafa Wafa competition will be. The most passionate fans at each match will be selected to take part in a half-time competition with the crowd voting for the winner. The eight winners from each of the matches will then go through to the final where they will compete for the ultimate prize, and to be crowned the ultimate MTN 8 Wafa Wafa fan,” he explained.
The MTN 8 Wafa Wafa kicks off on 8, 9 and 10 August, with one quarterfinal match taking place on Friday, two on Saturday and one on the Sunday. The first leg of semifinals will be staged on the weekend of 16 and 17 August and the second leg of the semifinals will take place on 23 and 24 August .The final will take place on 21 September, World Peace Day, and through this match, South Africa will join the rest world in commemorating the day.
The eight teams to compete in the MTN 8 Wafa Wafa knockout competition are (listed according to their finishing position in the 2007/2008 PSL season): 1. SuperSport United, 2. Ajax Cape Town, 3. Santos, 4. Mamelodi Sundowns, 5. Free State Stars, 6. Kaizer Chiefs, 7. Moroka Swallows and 8. Orlando Pirates.
“Congratulations to MTN and welcome to the family of professional soccer sponsors,” concluded Khoza.
For more information, go to www.mtnfootball.com.
