Dar Es Salaam — SOME 200 soccer fans from various parts of Tanzania are set to make history when they join other football lovers in South Africa, for the continent's first ever FIFA World Cup finals scheduled between June and July, this year.

This has been made possible courtesy of a consumer promotion launched by the soft drink company, Coca Cola.

The exciting country-wide promotion dubbed "Kwea Pipa na Coca Cola: Shinda Tiketi Ukasherehekee Kombe la FIFA la Dunia" began on Monday.

The company's Franchise Brand Manager for Tanzania, Christine Maina, said that the winners will travel to South Africa in an all-expense-paid trip to witness a match between five-time world Cup champions, Brazil and Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

"We're excited about this promotion because it combines the great passion for football expressed by the majority of Tanzanians, with the historic hosting of the FIFA World Cup on African soil for the first time," she said.

The promotion will run in all regions in Tanzania until May 31 and consumers can redeem their prizes until June 15.

Maina said that in order to participate, consumers are required to buy the 300ml or 350ml returnable glass bottles of either Coca-Cola, Sprite or Fanta and look under the crown to see their prizes.

During the promotion, Coca Cola will also reward more than 1,200,000 consumers with television sets, t-shirts, caps and free drinks.

'Daily News' Reporter, Abdallah Msuya, and John Lugendo from ITV became the first winners of TV set and World Cup ticket respectively. The two received their prizes on the spot from the chairman of National Sports Council, Idd Kipingu, who graced the event.

Kipingu commended the cold-drink company for offering Tanzanians that life-time opportunity, to watch live world superstars in Brazil and Portugal squads when the two teams lock horns in Durban on June 25.

"Brazil against Portugal will be one of the best matches in the coming FIFA World Cup finals and it would be great to have such a large number of soccer fans from Tanzania watching the match live.

While many enthusiastic soccer fans missed out in FIFA tickets, as only 290 were allocated to Tanzania as a non-participating member country, the Coca-Cola promotion gives local fans more chances to fulfil their dream.

Kipingu also applauded Coca-Cola for their efforts in developing youth soccer and seized the opportunity to urge the company to extend their support to women national soccer team, Twiga Stars.

"You've been doing very well in youth football with commendable sponsorship of U-17 Copa Coca-Cola tournament, but you should consider supporting Twiga Stars.

"They are now involved in African Women's Championship qualifiers and they have the chance to qualify for the finals which will also be held in South Africa, next year. They need your support."