The Eastern Cape can heave a huge sigh of relief after world football governing body Fifa announced yesterday that Port Elizabeth’s Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium would be one of the five host venues of next year’s Confederations Cup.
The city’s participation in the tournament — which will be used as the dress rehearsal for the 2010 Soccer World Cup — hung in the balance for several weeks after doubts arose over whether the stadium could be completed in time for the competition, which is due to be held from June 14-28 next year.
Relief was etched on the faces of Eastern Cape MEC for sport and recreation, Noxolo Abrahams-Ntantiso, and Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Nondumiso Maphazi after 2010 World Cup organising committee chairman Irvin Khoza said the stadium would be retained along with Ellis Park, the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace, Free State Stadium and Loftus.
“They have been given a thumbs up, but it is conditional,” a stern Khoza said, as the Eastern Cape delegation erupted into wild cheers.
“There are still issues that have to be monitored closely. But at this stage, yes, all five stadiums are still hosts of the 2009 Confederations Cup. We are placing tight monitoring on all of them and if they fail to comply with the agreed deadlines they will be removed (from the Cup schedule).
“Port Elizabeth is a new stadium and that is why we have been patient with them. Recently they have accelerated the process, which gives us comfort. That the Fifa Confederations Cup is a success is a matter of national pride.”
Fifa secretary-general Jerome Valcke said Port Elizabeth had to deliver the stadium — which is the only one that will be built from scratch — by the end of next March.
“We saw when we were there (recently) that every day was important and cannot be wasted,” Valcke said.
“But it is not just Port Elizabeth that is not completely on track. The other stadiums will also be monitored.”
Visibly relieved Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Maphazi said the province — which many conspiracy theorists had argued would lose its status — would deliver on all the promises made to Fifa.
“We want to say today that we will not disappoint,” Maphazi said.
“Even today, I want to commit to Fifa and the local organising committee that we will deliver the stadium by the end of next March.”
While Eastern Cape’s participation in the 2010 World Cup was never in doubt, their status as hosts of the Confederations Cup was becoming doubtful.
Cynics in the Eastern Cape even suggested that a Johannesburg-led conspiracy was hellbent on ensuring that the province missed out on the Cup.
Matters were not helped by a court dispute between the city and contractors that threatened to delay construction. But as Khoza indicated yesterday, the dispute was resolved.
Tickets for the event will be sold at a fixed exchange rate yet to be determined.
Danny Jordaan — the CEO of the local organising committee — said the Confederations Cup would present South Africans with an opportunity to show their support for teams other than the national soccer team.
“This will be a festival of champions and Italy will arrive as World champions, the US will arrive as Concacaf champions, Brazil will arrive as Copa America champions, Iraq will arrive as Asian Cup champions, Egypt will arrive as African champions and Bafana Bafana will arrive with home ground advantage,” Jordaan said.