SA: Statement by the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, Minister Mbalula asserts that Bafana Bafana are ready to win the Orange Africa Cup of Nations (31/01/2013)

31st January 2013

Minister of Sport and Recreation, Fikile Mbalula briefed members of the media on the preparations of Bafana Bafana for the upcoming quarterfinal clash and broader issues of the 29th Orange Africa Cup of Nations ( AFCON).

He reiterated the call for South Africans to continue to rally behind the national soccer team and expressed his confidence that the team would proceed to win the tournament.

“We hold the view and belief that Bafana Bafana stand on the threshold of victory in this robust AFCON Championship.  We stand by our team and we will fall and rise with them until the Africa Cup of Nations Trophy is secured,” said Mbalula.

In a bid to ensure the smooth movement of fans, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has put together a comprehensive transport plan to ferry supporters to all the match venues for the duration of the tournament. Fans are required to produce their match tickets at train stations in order to travel for free to the stadiums.

Acting CEO of PRASA, Tiro Holele announced that there would be a special Shosholoza Meyl train that will depart from Park Station in Johannesburg at 6.20pm on Friday, 01 February. It will arrive in Durban 8.30am on Saturday and return to Johannesburg on Sunday.

The President of  the South African Football Association (SAFA), Kirsten Nematandani addressed challenges of empty seats at stadiums. “It has been encouraging to see how fans have taken to the tournament, the Eastern Cape and Rustenburg have been a challenge, but things have improved tremendously. At Mbombela the Ethiopians showed the true spirit of supporting a national team”, said Mr Nematandani.

“As we host such successful events in South Africa we are playing our leadership role in the realisation of our African dream of a peaceful, democratic and prosperous Africa through soccer. This dream means freedom to many generations of our continent and those Africans in the Diaspora,” said Minister Mbalula.

Bafana Bafana will clash with Mali  at Moses Mabhida stadium on Saturday , 02  February, kick off time is 20h00.