The flags of the host nation of the tournament, South Africa, and that of Ghana, Niger, Mali and the Democratic Republic of Congo, will be hoisted by dignitaries of the respective countries in front of the Port Elizabeth City Hall on Friday morning 16 November. Members of the public are welcome to join the programme from approximately 9:00 am on the Vuyisile Mini Square. On Saturday Standard Bank will be conducting an AFCON trophy tour at the Greenacres Shopping Centre. … [Read more...] about AFCON Flag hoisting and Football Friday launch
afcon
Port Elizabeth fans can get up close to Afcon trophy
The Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) trophy tour will take place in Port Elizabeth on Saturday in a bid to spread the Afcon fever and generate enthusiasm in the area. Standard Bank and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) are offering soccer fans the opportunity to see the trophy up close and have their pictures taken with the coveted prize. The trophy will be on display at the Greenacres Mall in Port Elizabeth from 11am to 3pm, accompanied by two Bafana Bafana legends, Neil Tovey and … [Read more...] about Port Elizabeth fans can get up close to Afcon trophy
Special security features for Afcon tickets
South Africa's 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Local Organising Committee says it will put in place special security measures to ensure that fans do not fall victim to counterfeit tickets during the continental tournament. Afcon LOC boss Mvuzo Mbebe told reporters in Johannesburg on Wednesday that they will try to make it as difficult as possible for scammers to duplicate tournament tickets. "When you buy your ticket, you will get a voucher or a reference number meaning that there is … [Read more...] about Special security features for Afcon tickets
R325 Million from Government for Afcon Municipalities
The approval of funding for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) to be held in South Africa next year has been received with much enthusiasm by the Local Organising Committee (LOC). Government has made an allocation of R452 million to the LOC for the continental tournament, of which only R83 million is for the operating costs of the LOC. 2013 Afcon LOC chief communications officer Sipho Sithole said the remainder of the funding will be used for running the entire tournament at the five … [Read more...] about R325 Million from Government for Afcon Municipalities
Ghana, DRC, Niger and Mali based in Port Elizabeth for 2013 Afcon
The final draw for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), to be hosted by South Africa next year, has seen South Africa being drawn in group A with Cape Verde, Angola and Morocco. All these teams will be based in Durban. The host team is expected to go out guns blazing in their opening match against minnows Cape Verde at Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg on January 19. Angola will now participate in their sixth consecutive Africa Cup of Nations since 2006 and their seventh in … [Read more...] about Ghana, DRC, Niger and Mali based in Port Elizabeth for 2013 Afcon
Cakes Councillor, I Suggest You Sell Them
It is with delicious anticipation that I wait for the next salvo from opposition parties and well meaning 'financial gurus' to throw yet more gripes against the staging of Afcon in Port Elizabeth at our Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. What astounds me is that these well intentioned letter writers still haven't learned one simple lesson - a politically sanctioned event will go ahead no matter how much the opposition to it. The escape clause in the Afcon agreement is just words on a piece of paper … [Read more...] about Cakes Councillor, I Suggest You Sell Them
AFCON Host City vs Opening Black Bags for Food
Why does this Metro Council and in particular the Sport, Recreation, Arts and Cultural Services Committee fail to acknowledge the fact that funds are not available for events of this sort, or for that matter, for anything else? Are the ANC not aware of the outrage shown by the poor in the informal settlements in the Metro, emphasizing the lack of basic essential services available to them? The availability of funding for the AFCON 2012/13 TOURNAMENT is questionable to say the least. Where the … [Read more...] about AFCON Host City vs Opening Black Bags for Food
Basic services before Africa Cup of Nations
While there seems to be some excitement about the prospect of Port Elizabeth being one of the host cities along with Nelspruit, Rustenburg, Durban and Johannesburg for next year’s Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), some sensible reasoning will show that there is no cause for celebration. The Nelson Mandela Metropole is under-funded by at least R228 million for this financial year. While officials are desperately trying to find ways to cut spending, we know that basic service delivery will … [Read more...] about Basic services before Africa Cup of Nations
Afcon Will Deliver a Feast of Soccer for Port Elizabeth
South African Football Association (Safa) President Kirsten Nematandani says all stops will be pulled to ensure South Africa's successful hosting of the 2013 African Cup of Nations. Speaking before officially handing over his duties as interim chairman of the 2013 Afcon LOC Board to his deputy, Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana, in Johannesburg, Nematandani said Safa will hit the ground running with its preparations. "Nothing can stop the 2013 Afcon from [succeeding]. We have no more … time to relax. … [Read more...] about Afcon Will Deliver a Feast of Soccer for Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth to Host 2013 African Cup of Nations Games
Cabinet has given the nod to South Africa hosting the 2013 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2014 African Nations Championships (CHAN) and has announced the cities that will host these tournaments. Speaking at a post-Cabinet briefing on Friday, Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula announced that the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2013 Afcon will be played at Johannesburg's Soccer City, known as FNB Stadium. Johannesburg’s Soccer City will host the opening and closing ceremonies of … [Read more...] about Port Elizabeth to Host 2013 African Cup of Nations Games
