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ZIWAPHI • VOL 4 NO 10 • 14 - 20 May 2010

NELSPRUIT

All eyes will be on Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga on Sunday when Bafana Bafana play against Thailand in an historic,  international friendly game to test the stadium’s readiness before the Fifa World Cup kick-off 26 days later.

The Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit has been dubbed the “miracle stadium” after the pitch had to be removed twice to comply with Fifa’s requirements.

The newly planted rye grass germinated in a matter of days in March and “miraculously” grew to a lush pitch in about two weeks.

“We are proud of what we have achieved. We strongly believe we have been able to remain truly African in the design of our stadium, with its zebra-striped seats and the orange giraffe-like pillars that hold the stadium,” said Mbombela municipality executive mayor Lassie Chiwayo.

“Mbombela is ready. The people have risen to the challenge and we are looking forward to receiving the multitudes of visitors who will be gracing our city of excellence.”

Along with Soccer City in Gauteng, Mbombela is one of the last two stadiums that have yet to be opened officially before the World Cup.

The launch activities will start on Friday with a Football Friday Carnival at the Mataffin Old Cricket Club in the stadium precinct, where more than 2 000 people are expected to party to a host of local and national DJs.

A concert featuring artists such as Teargas, Malaika, Prokid, Winnie Khumalo and Mzekezeke will be hosted on Saturday from 12pm, followed by the friendly against Thailand on Sunday.

The game will be introduced by an opening production featuring 800 local school children, traditional drummers, horn players, marimba drummers and traditional dancers representing the three dominant cultural groups in Mpumalanga, namely Swazi, Ndebele and Shangaan.

The showcase will be directed by internationally acclaimed South African poet, performer and creative director Napo Masheane and choreographed by renowned choreographer and artist Somizi Mhlongo, who will also be staging the 2010 World Cup Opening on June 11.