2010 FIFA World Cup – South Africa calling!
South Africa is ready to welcome the world with open arms, modern infrastructure, impressive locations and efficient security. Fans from 188 countries have already collected over 630,000 tickets and are eager to put on their soccer jerseys and cheer on their favorite teams!
With an expected fan base of 430,000 arriving in South Africa next June, the country is bustling with activity. Ten world-class stadiums are being prepared for the tournament, five of which are new. Port Elizabeth’s Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, located in an area of pristine beaches, has been declared inaugurated. The impressive Moses Mabhida in Durban with its imposing arch resembling Wembley Stadium even has a cable car that takes you directly to the beach!
Polkwane, the land of the inverted baobab and cradle of ancient civilizations, will have its stadium ready by October. Like Nelspruit, South Africa’s own Garden of Eden. The fifth stadium, Green Point, in the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town is preparing for its opening in February. Green Point is the only stadium in the world with a glass roof!
Soccer City, the main venue on the outskirts of Soweto in Johannesburg, has been upgraded with a design that takes its inspiration from African pottery. With so much renovation invested, it can be called a brand new stadium for all purposes! The opening match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to be played at this 94,000 capacity stadium. The other four venues of Ellis Park, Free State, Loftus Versfeld and Royal Bafokeng have all been upgraded to host Confederations Cup matches this month.
Jozi, as the locals affectionately call Johannesburg, is the financial center of the African continent. It has energy, culture, excitement, as well as peace and quiet with 2,328 parks making up a large and much-loved green belt. Joberg is also the birthplace of South Africa’s rich football heritage. Professional football started right here, in the offices of the former Rand Daily Mail newspaper, way back in 1958!
It is the home of the champions Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Jomo Cosmos. When the Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates meet, it’s one of the hottest games in the world! Johannesburg has also produced famous players like Jomo Sono and Kaizer Motaung, founders of the aforementioned clubs. Sono has even had the honor of playing with legends like Pelé and Franz Beckenbauer! Ace or Patrick Ntsoelengoe holds pride of place as one of the best football players in South Africa.
As well as setting the stage for a brilliant 2010 World Cup, there are high hopes for the tournament. With so much spending on infrastructure, roads, airports, security, hotels and soccer merchandise, South Africans want the World Cup to showcase the best their country has to offer in a bid to renew their brand, increase their prestige, benefit its people and act as a catalyst for economic growth. From now on, let the vuvuzelas ring as soccer greats proudly arrive wearing their World Cup soccer jerseys for the Confederation Cup, a precursor to the world’s largest soccer festival!