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JOHANNESBURG:
REVENGE would be the name of the game in this season’s Vodacom Challenge that involves English side Tottenham as well as South African giants, Kaizer Chiefs.
Spurs would be out to settle the score with Pirates after their 0-2 loss to the Johannesburg club in 2002. Chiefs on the other hand would hope to avenge their 1-2 loss in the same tournament. The derby between Pirates and Chiefs is a potential thriller as Chiefs have since reduced Pirates to their whipping boys.
A full strength Tottenham Hotspur jetted into in South Africa yesterday (9 July) morning for the preseason three-team tournament.
Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs are bankrolled by cellular giants, Vodacom, hence the name of the competition.
Among the players that will represent Spurs in the tournament are big names, Robbie Keane, Dimitar Berbatov, Jermain Defoe and new signing Darren Brent, who all had a marvelous 2006/07 English Premiership season.
Spurs coach, Martin Jol, said the tournament will help them gauge their strengths in time for the next season. The FA and local seasons kick off early next month.
Tottenham, who like Pirates finished fifth last season in the league, kick off the tournament against Kaizer Chiefs in Durban on Saturday.
Last season, FA counterparts Manchester United, came second in the eight-year-old tournament after losing to defending champions and record holders, Chiefs- CAJ News.