FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009
The excitement for the FIFA Confederations Cup is growing by the day, and the suspense can be felt throughout the streets of South Africa as the nation braces itself for the FIFA Confederations Cup in June, a moment that will mark South Africa's grand entrance in hosting major football events.
South Africans are now gearing themselves up for what will be a historic moment on home soil, when, for the first time in the history of football, the FIFA Confederations Cup will he hosted by an African country. Celebrities, sporting and footballing officials around South Africa have now added their voice to the thousands who have applied for tickets: they simply can't wait!
Springbok rugby World Cup-winning captain and an admirer of the country's football national side, John Smit, said it was important for South Africa to create a good impression during the tournament.
"The FIFA Confederations Cup is a great opportunity for the Bafana players to prepare for next year's World Cup. It also gives organisers a dress rehearsal for 2010. Good luck to both for a successful tournament."
South African swimming golden-girl and the multi-medal winning Paralympian, Natalie du Toit, said she was looking forward to the tournament. Du Toit competed at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics where she made history by becoming the first female amputee swimmer to qualify for the Olympics.
"I think every South African is crossing their fingers, hoping that the Confederations Cup will be a huge success," she said. "Football is a major sport in our country and I hope that both the FIFA Confederations Cup and the World Cup will unite our country. Personally, I will be supporting Bafana Bafana because it's important for all of us to get behind the team."
STADIUMS READY FOR ACTION
Preparations for the FIFA Confederations Cup have moved up another gear as the eagerly-anticipated tournament draws ever closer.
The event, which features the six continental champions, the hosts and the FIFA World Cup™ holders, has been generating great excitement in South Africa, and this week witnessed another piece of the jigsaw fall into place ahead of the 14 June kick-off. This latest step forward came when two of the four stadiums in which the tournament will be held, Ellis Park and Loftus, opened their doors to top flight football after being given a clean bill of health by the inspection teams.
But the work didn't stop there. The turf at FIFA Confederations Cup venues will now be given special attention, with reseeding taking place in April. The Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, meanwhile, will be officially opened towards the end of March with a match between South Africa and Norway in the annual Nelson Mandela Challenge. [source: www.fifa.com, accessed Tuesday 10Mar09]
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