Vuvuzela South Africa

In the first MTN 8 Wafa Wafa semi-final at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town, Ajax took down Kaizer Cheifs 1-0 with a controversial penalty when Thabang Rooi was penalised in the box for a physical tackle  and midfielder Dipsy Selolwane scored from the spot in the 63rd minute.

Well the penalty wasn’t that controversial – it was quite clear, but the referee, Peter Mabuza got into “delayed decision” mode (one of many questionable decisions) and that angered the Amakhosi fans whose unacceptable behavior of raining down cans and missiles on to the pitch  is a great cause of worry, with less than 300 days to the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The two clubs will have to do it again at Orlando Stadium next Sunday, 23 August 2009 for the return leg for the MNT 8 Wafa Wafa Competition.

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Only 300 days to go to the 2010 FIFA World Cup! I’ve just heard that the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban expects to be finished ahead of schedule.

According to IOL, Tim ter Haar, of Ibhola Lethu, the lead project team at Durban’s R3,1-billion stadium, said progress at the site was “flying”.

“We are asking the city if we could have the official opening of the stadium earlier than originally scheduled. It was first due for the end of October, but we would like it moved forward to the middle of October, which would give us more time to get it operational before the first event in the middle of November.”

Transport would receive special attention from Tourism KwaZulu-Natal.To celebrate the 300-day milestone today, the KZN government and Durban, the host city, would launch a massive radio campaign.

“This is the launch of our partnership with all the radio stations in KZN and the first leg of a much bigger campaign to make sure the World Cup is a success in the province,” said the head of 2010 co-ordination in KwaZulu-Natal, Phindile Makwakwa.

The 2010 Organising Committee is confident all projects will be ready in time for the international sporting event.

Transport for 2010 – Gautrain

It is hoped the Gautrain route between Sandton and OR Tambo International Airport will be operational in time for soccer fans.

Transport Minister S’bu Ndebele told Eyewitness News that most transport projects have been completed and are ready for the influx of foreigners.

“They say it is about sport but it is actually about transport. The sports part is that 90 minutes the rest is transport.”

Photo: Gautrain

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He calls himself the stadium manager - he collects the trash from cars for a tip at the traffic lights.

I have watched the 2010 Stadium in Durban from the day they dug the first sod. It is on my way to town, about six minutes by car from my flat on the Berea. And I have watched the progress with total awe.

Durban Landmark

I’m not quite sure when I decided to start taking photos of it, but I knew when it was formally named the Moses Mabhida Stadium that is was going to be a Durban landmark  and also an icon of these times we are living in.

When FIFA President, Sepp Blatter read South Africa’s name on 15 May 2004  in Zurich as the next hosts of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, this country – and indeed the continent – erupted with joy. It  many ways the euphoria was bigger than the 1995 World Cup victory.

In making the announcement Blatter said the decision to send the event to Africa was a victory for the entire continent.

A drive by picture with my BlackBerry of the Moses Mabhida Stadium last week.

Moses Mabhida Stadium a Symbol of Energy and Hope

I think the Moses Mabhida Stadium, so massive and fancy; elegant and huge – with its 106 m, high and  350 m free span steel arch is a symbol for all the people – soccer fans or not,  of excitement and collective energy; of anticipation and hope.

I always tell people that I am sure in 20 years time the men and women who are working on the stadium now will take their children and grandchildren there when Durban hosts Olympic events or some International event and tell them – “See, grandma/ grandpa or gogo/tata worked on this stadium – it was in 2009…”

A brand-new passenger terminal right next to the stadium will include a railway station, parking, and park and ride facilities for spectators.

According to Durban’s 2010 Website:

The stadium has been specifically designed to be active 365 days a year, creating a dynamic entertainment node for the city of Durban, incorporating Imbizo Place with over 7000m2 retail space, an amphitheatre and a cable car. The cable car will ascend to a viewing platform at the top of the expansive 350m arch, a staggering 106m above the pitch.  From this vantage point, visitors can experience spectacular panoramic views over the ocean and the city.

I can’t wait for my first time up to the top of the arch, although I don’t like heights.

I am sure that the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban will be ready to hand over to FIFA on deadline.

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This evening the United States meet Mexico in Mexico City in a match that is going to prove a bone cruncher, as the USA wants revenge for the 5-0 drubbing on American soil – “a border war” is how it is being described. The showdown at the Azteca is going to be hard for the Americans who have never won there since  they first played there in 1937.

Tonight they return to the 105 000 seater stadium, at high altitude where the Americans always struggle with the smog and the heat, in fact the San Francisco Chronicle calls it a record of futility in Mexico city.

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This might not be the hottest match with both the South African Team and the Serbian Team missing star players and neither team having had much preparation time, but still tonight’s match between Bafana Bafana and the White Eagles will give everyone something to think about as teams start winding up their 2010 FIFA World Cup campaigns.

Serbia Coach Radomic Antic Confident

Serbia coach Radomir Antic was adamant the single workout  yesterday was enough to shape up his 14th-ranked team ahead of tonight’s encounter at Super Stadium in Pretoria (7pm), and backed his young squad to do well in the absence of established stalwarts Nemanja Vidic and Dejan Stankovic. In the absence of Stankovic, Serbia will be captained by Valencia midfielder Nikola Zigic.

Serbia, nicknamed Beli Orlovi (White Eagles), look almost certain to qualify for the World Cup, holding an eight-point lead over powerhouses France in Group 7 of the UEFA Qualifying Zone.

Coach Joel Santana on the Bench

Meanwhile, South African Coach Joel Santana  who was detained in Brazil with acute pneumonia, landed in the country yesterday and went straight to camp to take over the team.

Bafana Bafana assistant coaches Pitso Mosimane and Julio Leal announced the squad last week and Golden Arrows striker Richard Henyekane, who was the top scorer in the 2008/09 Absa Premiership, is the only uncapped player in the team.

The technical team has kept faith with the majority of the players who did duty in the 2009 Confederations Cup, though Siphiwe Tshabalala and Bernard Parker are missing through injury.

Santana’s charges established a feeling of confidence with their performances in the recent Confederations Cup and have reassured the nation that 2010 is not a lost cause for the national side.

Bafana Bafana Need a Striker

However, Bafana Bafana would do well to not be too confident against the Serbian team. We still need strikers and all eyes tonight are going to be on  Golden Arrows’ top striker Richard Henyekane, the new cap,  who will finally get the chance to show that he is able play at the same level on the international stage.

(It would be nice it they took a look next time at someone like Fanteni from Orlando Pirates).

Pictures: Richard Henyekane. Football365.co.za

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