Kaizer Chiefs gave one KC Couch competition winner and his two friends on the Day of Reconciliation (16 December) an experience they will never forget by letting them watch the Ajax Cape Town match from the now famous The Best Seat In The House. It was Amakhosi’s last of three home league games played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

The idea was first introduced to the supporters last season when Chiefs moved a number of league matches to the iconic World Cup stadium in the heart of the KwaZulu-Natal. The KC Couch competition has grown in leaps and bounds, making it possible for supporters to get closer to their favourite stars.

The lucky winner of The Best Seat In The House competition on Saturday evening was Joseph Thokozani Zimu from KwaNdengezi, near Pinetown. Zimu, who works for Durban Transport as a bus driver, has been a Glamour Boys supporter since the 1970s and his love for the club has never diminished.

Zimu says he did not waste time after catching sight of the advert in the Isolezwe newspaper, which contained a special Kaizer Chiefs insert. He started sending SMSs to 45905 to try his luck. “I sent a number of messages until I ran out of airtime,” he reflects with a smile on his face.

The lucky winner was accompanied by two colleagues, Bongani Ndlovu and Linda Ngubane. Upon their arrival at the stadium, they were welcomed by the club’s marketing team who gave them brand new jerseys and made sure they sat comfortably in one of the hospitality suites while waiting for the game to commence. A few minutes before kick-off, the trio was introduced to their KC Couch mate for the night, Glamour Boy Lorenzo Gordinho.

“It was great fun to sit on the couch with the three guys,” the defender commented afterwards. “To hear about their knowledge of the club and its history was fascinating. It’s a great experience for us as players as much as it is for them because they play a very important role in buoying us up for no less than 40 games, season after season,” said Gordinho.

The KC Couch is positioned on the eastern side of the pitch, making them the most important guests as they sit closest to the action.

The trio even became part of the match highlights where they were seen by millions who watched the game on TV. They were later interviewed by the KCTV crew – the new KCTV show will air on Thursday evening, 28 December.

“I have been a supporter of Kaizer Chiefs all my life and I’ve never come this close to a player,” concluded Zimu, “as I only see them when I’m in the stands or watching on television. Gordinho was very professional and really engaged us throughout the match. I will go back and brag about this experience to my colleagues and the commuters whom I transport every day.”

The three points collected by Amakhosi were the icing on the cake for the trio and they went home with memories they will cherish forever.

The KC Couch will return next year for the supporters to enjoy the Kaizer Chiefs hospitality and experience.