11.05.2010
S.Africa's Soccer City to host first match on May 22
South Africa's flagship World Cup stadium Soccer City will next week host its first professional match, ahead of the tournament's opening game on June 11, organisers said on Tuesday.
"The much anticipated local cup final, the Nedbank Cup, will take place at Soccer City on May 22," said Rich Mkhondo, spokesman for the local organising committee.
The match will also mark the stadium's formal handover to FIFA, just three weeks before the kick-off of the world's most-watched sporting event.
The giant, clay-coloured stadium, inspired by the African calabash (gourd), is located between downtown Johannesburg and Soweto township.
It was built at the site of the former FNB Stadium, which was demolished to make way for the new 94,700-seat venue.
"Standard FIFA crowd control and security measures will be applied during the match, just to prepare the fans about what to expect during the World Cup," said Mkhondo.
Construction of the stadium and the pitch was completed early this year, but workers are still busy putting final touches on the outside grounds.
The national team Bafana Bafana will play the opening match against Mexico in the stadium.
Source: © 2010 AFP - Alexander Joe
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