All roads will lead to Nelson Mandela Bay stadium, not because of Bafana Bafana, but because it will be a gathering of the greatest football tournament on African soil – the 29th Edition of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations and every football loving person will want to to witness this great occasion. This is according to Nelson Mandela Bay Executive Mayor Zanoxolo Wayile , speaking at the 50 Days Countdown of the 29th edition of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations.(AFCON) 2013.
“I am hopeful that on 20 January 2013, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will be packed to capacity as we witness the first Group B matches involving, Ghana vs the DRC at 5 pm, followed by Mali vs Niger,” he said.
The 29th Edition will kick off on 19 January and continue to 10 February 2013. Sixteen Nations were drawn on 24 October to do battle for the ultimate coveted trophy and to be crowned the African Champions at the end of the Tournament. Six group B matches will be played involving Ghana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali and Niger as well as quarter-final match and the playoff for third and fourth places.
“Our sense of anticipation and urgency has been heightened by the fact that the pride of African football nations will kick start and descend on us with all its fanfare on 19 January 2013,”Wayile ontinued. “The greatest African soccer spectacle is exactly 50 days away from arriving on the shores of Nelson Mandela Bay.
“We regard the Orange AFCON 2013 as a crucial portal for exposure and an opportunity to raise our public relations bar a notch higher. It is an opportunity for all of us to increase our awareness of the magnitude of what South Africa and the Nelson Mandela Bay in particular have to offer the world. At the same time it will instill confidence and build positive images of our magnificent city to the world at large,” he said.
Local Organising Committee Chairperson, Adv Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana, called on all those tasked with ensuring Nelson Mandela Bay hosts a successful tournament, to invite all soccer loving people to fill up the stadium.
Tickets are on sale and are available at selected Spar outlets, also via the Internet www.eqtickets.com as well as via a telesales centre contactable on 0879803000.
Enquries:
For: Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
Kupido Baron
Media Management Officer
0827802726
For: Local Organising Committee for Orange AFCON 2013
Sipho Sithole Chief Communications Officer
(edited)
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