City of Cape Town hosts phenomenal CHAN 2014 opener at the Cape Town Stadium
The iconic Cape Town Stadium buzzed with excitement yesterday at the opening ceremony of the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN), further entrenching Cape Town’s status as the events capital of Africa and an international soccer city.
The City of Cape Town is pleased with the opening success and wishes to thank Capetonians who heeded the call to come out and support Bafana Bafana and the tournament. A total of 26 328 fans attended the opening match.
The spectacular opening ceremony celebrated the colourful diversity of the 16 participating nations and saw the stadium awash with the yellow of the Bafana Bafana jersey as fans gathered for the first international football tournament in the city since the 2010 FIFA™ World Cup, the nostalgia and pride of which was reignited both within the venue and throughout the streets of the Mother City.
“Orange CHAN comes to Cape Town in a very significant year for South Africa, which celebrates the 20th anniversary of our democracy and serves as World Design Capital in 2014. The magnificent opening ceremony did Capetonians proud. It was a fitting celebration and a moving tribute to the legacy of the late Nelson Mandela, for whom the crowd erupted with applause,” said Mayoral Committee Member for Tourism, Events and Marketing Councillor Grant Pascoe.
The dazzling event featured over 200 performers – including singers, dancers, musicians, and specialty acts – with colourful mass formations and routines (such as an impressive depiction of the shape of Africa), featuring the flags of the 16 participating nations, devised by famed African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2013 ceremonies choreographer, Somizi Mhlongo.
The musical score for this visual extravaganza came from a stellar entertainment line-up – including Cape Town-based Jazz musician Jimmy Dludlu, acapella foursome The Soil, beloved Eastern Cape poet and praise singer Zolani Mkhiva, singer Jessica Mpangeni and popular house act, Mi Casa.
In addition to this magnificent opening ceremony, fans were treated to a thrilling double-header in which host nation Bafana Bafana clinched the tournament’s first victory by defeating Mozambique 3-1 and reigning AFCON champions, Nigeria faced Mali, which ended in 2-1 to Mali.
Cape Town will host 16 of the tournament’s 32 games, including all Group A matches as well as the Quarter-Finals and Final, with all Group B matches to take place at Cape Town’s newly upgraded Athlone Stadium.
In the coming week, Bafana Bafana will face Mali (17h00) and Nigeria will compete against Mozambique (20:00) at Cape Town Stadium of Wednesday, 15 January. Althlone Stadium will host Group B clashes between Zimbabwe & Uganda (17h00) and Burkina Faso & Morocco (20:00) on Thursday, 16 January.
“With ticket prices at as little as R40 and 15% Phase 2 discounts on offer, Orange CHAN 2014 is a truly inclusive tournament that is accessible to Capetonians from all walks of life. We urge soccer fans to get behind Bafana Bafana by wearing their team jerseys or simply anything yellow,” said councillor Pascoe.
CHAN 2014 information
Tickets:
- Ticket prices range from R40 to a maximum of R200.
The CHAN 2014 local organising committee has announced that match tickets will be sold in three phases:
- Phase 2 tickets available until to 18 January 2014, for quarter-finals, semi-final and final match tickets, without knowing which teams finish first and second in each group – 15% discounts available
- Phase 3, the final phase, runs from 19 to 22 January 2014, for the semi-final and final match tickets, after knowing which teams have made it to the top eight for the semi-final and final matches, including the third and fourth play-off matches.
Teams
The 16 teams participating in the tournament are divided into four groups:
- Group A (South Africa, Mali, Nigeria and Mozambique) will compete at the Cape Town Stadium
- Group B (Zimbabwe, Uganda, Burkina Faso and Morocco) will play their matches at the upgraded Athlone Stadium
- Groups C and D will play their matches in Polokwane and Mangaung
The 16 countries competing are Burkina Faso, Burundi, Congo-Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Uganda, Zimbabwe and the host nation South Africa.
Matches
The Bafana matches to be played at the Cape Town Stadium, are as follows:
- Bafana Bafana versus Mozambique on 11 January 2014
- Bafana Bafana versus Mali on 15 January 2014
- Bafana Bafana versus Nigeria on 19 January 2014
Group A and B matches will be contested at the Cape Town and Athlone Stadiums respectively. Training venues include Green Point FC, Green Point Athletics Stadium, NY 49, Site C in Khayelitsha. Erica Park, Belhar is a back-up venue.
About CHAN 2014
The CHAN tournament, established in 2007 and first contested in 2009, is administered by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and is played between the 16 best national teams in Africa. National teams have to qualify for the event and may only feature players active in their local leagues. Players who play abroad (regardless of where, even in Africa) do not qualify to take part in the competition.
Media enquiries:
Councillor Grant Pascoe
Cell: 082 748 3998
Tel: 021 400 1346
Email: grant.pascoe@capetown.gov.za
