The Municipality and Provincial leaders are urging soccer fans to get behind the national soccer team Bafana Bafana when they take on Nigeria (the reigning African Champions) on Wednesday, 14 August 2013 at the Moses Mabhida stadium.

Tickets for the big game that is being played in honour of our iconic former President Nelson Mandela are being sold at R100 and R50 only and are available from Computicket outlets. Soccer fans are in for a big treat when both teams arrive in Durban on Monday.

Organisers are gearing up for the usual fan-fare at King Shaka International Airport when the players touchdown on Monday, 12/08/13, 10:00am. There will be entertainers and drummers as part of a welcoming entourage. Colourful street parades and exciting community events will take place throughout Durban to create hype for the big game.

On Friday, 09 August (Women’s Day) 500 children between the ages of 6-10 years old will be treated to a day of fun and soccer as part of the Grassroots Festival in the lead up to next week’s match. The day will be hosted by South African Football Association (SAFA) grassroots coaches. The public is invited to come and watch proceedings. The festival will take place at Moses Mabhida Stadium, People’s Park, 09H00-12H00.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Dr Zweli Mkhize called on all in the province to give both teams a “real KZN welcome”. “We welcome our national team Bafana Bafana and Nigeria (the African Champions) to our beautiful Province. We are proud to be the host yet again for this important game and we look forward to an exciting match in honour of our great leader â€" Madiba. He is in our thoughts and prayers every day.”

“This is such a scoop for the City and Province and we urge soccer fans to go out and buy their tickets. Choosing Durban as the venue for this match shows yet again that we are a destination for big sporting events. Bafana Bafana always enjoys playing at our stadium and we must show them our support and turn up in large numbers,” said Mkhize

EThekwini Mayor, Cllr James Nxumalo again called on fans to buy their tickets early. “We must not let down our national team. We have a great stadium and a proud history of being the best host City for major sporting events in our country. We must again come together to honour Madiba.”

“The stadium is set to host this big game which is seen as a curtain raiser to next month’s final World Cup qualifier â€" when Bafana Bafana take on Botswana - at our stadium. All is set for next Wednesday’s match and we are hoping to have a full stadium,” Vusi Mazibuko, Stadium Manager for Moses Mabhida.

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For more information contact the Deputy City Manager of the Community and Emergency Services Cluster, Dr Musa Gumede, on 031 311 4636. Email: musa.gumede2@durban.gov.za

Issued by the Mandela Challenge Media and Communications Team, Durban-Kwazulu-Natal. Contact Vuyo Gwala on 031 311 4838, 073 250 5704. Email: vuyo.gwala@durban.gov.za