Football fan Leshern Naidoo, who has followed Liverpool Football Club since he was a child, won the trip of a lifetime to the United Kingdom to not only watch a match but also meet retired legend, Michael Owen.

The 32-year-old travel industry worker from Durban’s Isipingo Beach participated in a competition to win a five-night trip to England, with tickets to watch Manchester United play Liverpool at Old Trafford, a tour of Anfield Football Stadium – and a day of being hosted by Owen who is an ambassador for competition sponsor Sunbet.

The competition aligned with Owen’s weekly predictions for four English Premier League matches. Entrants submitted their predictions and those that matched or bettered his predictions were entered into a weekly draw.

“I was shocked when I got the call to say I’d won,” Naidoo said. “It was a legendary trip.”

He was part of a group of 25 Sun International winners and guests who flew to Heathrow together for the trip of a lifetime. Naidoo previously visited Anfield in 2014 before a major renovation and said it had been extremely enjoyable to experience the more modernised version, with improved dressing rooms. The group also listened to live music at The Cavern Club, famous for being where The Beatles’ popularity originated.

With a two-all draw for the football game, Naidoo wasn’t overjoyed with his team’s performance but said the atmosphere had been great.

“It was nice to experience a different stadium – the home fans were quiet when Man United wasn’t doing so well but had bursts of singing towards the end.”

“We enjoyed lunch at a pub in Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, which is an extremely scenic village similar to The Midlands.”

But the highlight for Naidoo was meeting former Liverpool and England player Owen at his racing stables Manor House, in Cheshire.

“We enjoyed a tour of the yard with Steve Wood, Michael’s right-hand man, looking at the racing stables, and viewing the gallops and equine spa, before having drinks and a chat with Michael where he signed our kit. It was good to have a chat with him, talking to him about his days as a player and his current life. I’m a huge sports fan in general and he was also saying he thinks Man City are favourites to win everything this season.”

Naidoo disagrees, saying: “Anything can happen, this is one of the most exciting seasons there has been for many years”.

“Seeing the Liverpool manager’s side play, even though not their home ground was a highlight, and meeting Michael, who spent most of his time at Liverpool and remains a fan. I’ve been a Liverpool fan from the time I was a young boy, it runs in the family.”

The closing function was a farewell dinner at the Cheshire racecourse, with former English player Mark Wright in attendance.

“He shared some exciting anecdotes and adventurous stories. It was an eventful few days with a full itinerary – definitely one for the books.”