The Africa Cup of Nations soccer tournament will be played in five centres from January 19 to February 10 next year.
|||Durban - The Africa Cup of Nations draw, held at Durban’s International Convention Centre (ICC) on Wednesday night, was a high society event attended by a host of VIPs, including Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini, President Jacob Zuma and several soccer greats and coaches.
The draw, done with great fanfare, has pitted South Africa against Morocco, Cape Verde and Angola in Group A of the tournament.
A highlight of the evening was the unveiling of the official match ball, Katlego.
Tournament banners and flags were placed along roads near the ICC, while security was tight with sniffer dogs used to search cars and a heavy police presence ring-fencing the convention centre.
At the draw, Durban was confirmed as the base camp for the national soccer team, Bafana Bafana, for the duration of the tournament, which starts in January.
City manager Sibusiso Sithole described the draw as “world class”.
“It was not African class. It was world class. Pure class. Bafana Bafana will be based here (Durban) and we will not disappoint,” he said.
It was also announced that “Celebrate Africa” would be the theme of the tournament.
This was evident as traditional dancers entertained guests and local children showed off their drumming skills giving the event a unique African vibrancy.
Ghana soccer star Sammy Kuffour, who has played in five Afcon tournaments, including the 1996 tournament which was won by South Africa, told The Mercury that he was looking forward to seeing South Africa play the favourites, Ghana.
“South Africans are nervous to face Ghana,” he said with a wink and a chuckle.
But local coach Gordon Igesund said on Metro Fm last night that he and the team were “not scared of anyone”.
“We will be ready for anyone,” he said, adding that the nation should get behind them.
South Africa will play the opening match at Soccer City in Joburg on January 19. - The Mercury