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PSL confirms launch of DStv Compact Cup

You are currently viewing PSL confirms launch of DStv Compact Cup
  • Post published:December 13, 2021

The Premier Soccer League has announced a new competition called the DStv Compact Cup – Viewer’s Choice, which is scheduled to take place on 22 and 29 January 2022.

The PSL launched the DStv Compact Cup in which fans will get the chance to control and influence the game by using designated substitution spots by way of voting.

The 16 Premier Division clubs will get equal representation in four general regions from which the players will be selected, with each regional group team having a total of 26 players selected by the supporters in a structured voting format.

The first weekend will feature two semi-final matches, determined by public draw, followed by the third-place playoff and final the next weekend, with the prize money valued at R1 million to be paid to a fan who participated in the voting process provided that supporter is a DStv Compact subscriber.

Speaking at the official launch of the innovative competition at the PSL headquarters in Parktown, Johannesburg, PSL chair Dr Irvin Khoza said:

“This is yet another amazing innovation. It will be refreshing that the responsibility of team selection, technical team and name choice will reside with the fans. The roles are now reversed, and we will come out better informed about the fans’ understanding of player chemistry through their team selections. ”

Dr Khoza’s sentiments were echoed by Multichoice South Africa CEO Nyiko Shiburi, who added that the innovation comes at an opportune moment where viewers have been starved of close interaction with their stars since the coronavirus pandemic started.

“We are truly excited to be creating such a powerful fan and club interaction platform in the DStv Compact Cup. We trust this to be a true gamechanger for South African football as it affords all fans of the 16 member clubs of the PSL an equal voice, while also challenging them to occupy the coach’s seat and lead their stars from the safety and comfort of their homes”, said Shiburi.

Here’s a look at the competition format will include four streams:

Coastal 1: Golden Arrows, AmaZulu, Royal AM and Maritzburg United
Coastal 2: Chippa United, Cape Town City, Stellenbosch FC and Baroka FC
Inland 1: Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, Swallows FC and TS Galaxy
Inland 2: Mamelodi Sundowns, SuperSport United, Marumo Gallants and Sekhukhune United

The PSL released the following statement on the launch of the DStv Compact Cup:

The Premier Soccer League (PSL), in partnership with DStv is thrilled to officially announce an exciting innovation, the DStv Compact Cup.

Since partnering with the PSL in September 2014 to deliver the MultiChoice Diski Challenge, now DStv Diski Challenge – a platform that allowed young talent to showcase their skills – the two parties have always looked at innovative ways in which they could uplift and grow football in South Africa. This partnership further grew with the announcement of DStv as the flagship sponsor of South Africa’s premier football division. This marked an elevation of South Africa’s Premier Soccer League bringing together the best of sport and entertainment.

Themed as ‘The Viewers’ Choice’, the DStv Compact Cup is another exciting PSL and DStv innovation that brings viewers even closer to the game by making their voices heard and giving them a feel of the revered coaches seat.

The DStv Compact Cup is set to take place over the last two weekends of January 2021, where viewer, coach and player collaboration will be paramount, as the PSL divides its 16 member clubs into four regions, comprising of two inland and two coastal regions.

From the 13th of December until 19 December 2021, fans will be given the reigns to suggest team names as part of the DStv Compact Cup via the SuperSport TV social media pages (Facebook and Twitter).

Then, from the 20th of December 2021 to the 3rd of January 2022, football fans across the country will have the opportunity to choose their favourite players from these teams using a safe and secure USSD code to form the regional DStv Compact Cup squad. All premier division players, with the exception of those selected for AFCON, will be eligible for selection.

The final squad lists will be announced on the 5th of January 2022 with voting for the starting lineups commencing on the same day and closing on the 12th of January 2022.

The winner of the innovative tournament will take home one million rands. Furthermore, a lucky DStv Compact subscriber will be an instant millionaire by simply participating in the voting process. An amount of five thousand rands would be on offer for non-Compact subscribers’ winners.