Qualifier
28 May 2007
The province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is proud, yet again, to host Bafana
Bafana, this time for the African Nations Qualifier on 2 June 2007. The match
which will be held at Durban's Kings Park Stadium is expected to attract a sell
out crowd, proving that KZN is the true Home of Soccer in South Africa.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sibusiso Ndebele said this match was part of the
province's long term strategy towards a successful 2010. "Hosting the Soccer
World Cup in 2010 presents KwaZulu-Natal with massive opportunities. The
biggest sporting event in the world will be held in our young nation, for the
first time ever in the history of Africa," said Ndebele.
Ndebele said preparations for the South Africa-Chad game were well on track.
"The game against Chad is an opportunity for us to constantly test our ability
to host big events. All the preparations for the Chad encounter are now in
place. The people of KwaZulu-Natal welcome Chad officials, players and
supporters to our province. Enjoy our facilities, our beaches, our hotel
accommodation, our culture and abundant animal life. You have come to one of
the best places in the world," said the Premier. Premier Ndebele also extended
a warm hand of welcome to Bafana Bafana. "To Bafana Bafana we would like to say
welcome to your home, KwaZulu-Natal. All 9,4 million of our people are behind
you all the way for this game and many others to come. We will make sure that
thousands come to Kings Park Stadium and millions watch you notch another
victory towards the African Nations Cup finals in Ghana in 2008," said Premier
Ndebele.
The province of KwaZulu-Natal believes that it is important to get into a
winning spirit ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. "We must again win the African
Cup of Nations, as we did in 1996. If we win the 2008 African Cup of Nations,
we will go into 2010 with the necessary confidence which will significantly
boost our chances of winning the world showpiece on African soil," said
Ndebele. For KwaZulu-Natal the 2010 FIFA World Cup is more than just a sporting
event. The province seeks to place the tournament in a broader context just as
the French did in 1998 by looking at culture, music, tourism and providing a
total experience beyond football. As part of this drive KwaZulu-Natal is
building a Soccer Academy and has already started a Coaching Schools Project.
The province is also building the capacity of our soccer administrators and
heavily promoting soccer in KwaZulu-Natal.
The province is pleased that the South African Football Association has
agreed to bring huge matches to KwaZulu-Natal this year. The first is the match
against Chad and another possibly later in the year when Bafana Bafana hosts
Saudi Arabia. We see all these matches as part of a dry run in preparation for
the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa. Both teams will arrive in Durban this
afternoon amid fanfare and a grand real Zulu welcome. The teams will also train
in various venues around the province for the next few days before kick off on
Saturday. Let us make KwaZulu-Natal the Home of Soccer, the Home of Sport. Let
us all have a great sporting time in KwaZulu-Natal. Let the best team win! Let
that team be Bafana Bafana.
For enquiries, contact:
Logan Maistry
Premier's Spokesperson
Cell: 083 644 4050
E-mail: maistryl@premier.kzntl.gov.za
Issued by: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
28 May 2007
