THIRTEEN Zambian football fans are this morning expected to leave for South Africa to watch the Chipolopolo's crucial 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group C match against Nigeria at Mbombela Stadium tomorrow.

The fans will be heading to South Africa after winning Barclays Bank Zambia's 'Swipe Your Way to AFCON 2013' promotion.

The fans, who include football administrator Yezenga Mvula, won themselves fully paid hospitality packages.

Barclays organised the lucky fans return air tickets, accommodation, local transfer costs, meals and stadium tickets for tomorrow's match in Nelspruit, a package that has cost the bank K84 million (KR84 000).

Joining Yezenga Mvula on the trip is Ethel Mulenga, Anthony Mwila, Ngambo Kabalata, Mathew Mvula, Mwangelwa Kopakopa, Lubona Makombo, Frank Chanda, Chilufya Musosha, Edhron Soko and Clara Chileshe while the Barclay staff who won are Kabanda Lilanda and Salome Kasweshi.

During the send-off breakfast meeting at the Taj-Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka yesterday, Barclays managing director, Saviour Chibiya said the bank always tried to make a meaningful contribution to society by supporting various corporate social responsibility initiatives like the Barclays Cup.

"As such, our organisation felt compelled to give 11 lucky customers and two Barclays colleagues an opportunity to watch the Zambia versus Nigeria match live in South Africa, through the 'Swipe Your Way to AFCON 2013' promotion," he said.

Chibiya said the bank was committed to the development of football in the country and that six years ago when the sport was going through a lot of problems, Barclays noticed a lack of local cup competitions and decided to start sponsoring the Barclays Cup, currently held by Napsa Stars.

To date, the Barclays Cup remains the only real competitive local cup competition with Chibiya saying local football was benefitting a lot from the Barclays Cup and that the final between Napsa and Power Dynamos last season had better quality than some games at AFCON.

FAZ vice-president Boniface Mwamelo hailed Barclays for taking their support to football beyond the 11 players and onto the 12th player (the fan), whom he described as key.