THE Gauteng provincial government plans to use the Nelson Mandela Challenge between Bafana Bafana and Zambia's Chipolopolo to mobilise support for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations that South Africa will be hosting.
The match, which is the second between the two countries in this event, is billed for Thursday, November 14, and will be played in Johannesburg at a venue still to be announced.
They met in the inaugural Challenge match in 1994, with Bafana Bafana winning 2-1.
The Gauteng government is hosting this year's game after the South African Football Association leadership approached it for financial assistance.
"I can confirm that Safa approached us to stage the game in Gauteng and we agreed to deliver in terms of their financial needs," said sport, arts, culture and recreation MEC Lebogang Maile.
"Safa wants the game to take place at Soccer City but we suggested to them that it must go to Orlando Stadium. The final decision will be taken by the federation.
"I hope Safa will make an announcement in the next few days, we need a full house in honour of Tata (Mandela).
"We will also be using the game against Zambia as part of our campaign to mobilise support for Bafana Bafana and the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations finals.
"On Friday, we are launching the Magnificent Fridays campaign where the people of Gauteng and South Africa in general are urged to wear soccer jerseys on Fridays.
"We are planning a number of activation campaigns aimed at encouraging Gauteng communities to rally behind Bafana Bafana and the 2013 Afcon. There will also be public viewing areas so that our people will be able to watch the games on the big screens."
Gauteng will host the opening and closing ceremonies.
Bafana Bafana won the first and last time South Africa hosted the Afcon finals.
Zambia are the reigning champions of Africa.
Meanwhile, Zambian coach Herve Renard has already made it clear he will bring a star-studded side for the Bafana Bafana clash, including the China-based trio of Isaac Chansa, Christopher Katongo and James Chamanga.
Making most of Challenge
THE Gauteng provincial government plans to use the Nelson Mandela Challenge between Bafana Bafana and Zambia's Chipolopolo to mobilise support for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations that South Africa will be hosting.
The match, which is the second between the two countries in this event, is billed for Thursday, November 14, and will be played in Johannesburg at a venue still to be announced.
They met in the inaugural Challenge match in 1994, with Bafana Bafana winning 2-1.
The Gauteng government is hosting this year's game after the South African Football Association leadership approached it for financial assistance.
"I can confirm that Safa approached us to stage the game in Gauteng and we agreed to deliver in terms of their financial needs," said sport, arts, culture and recreation MEC Lebogang Maile.
"Safa wants the game to take place at Soccer City but we suggested to them that it must go to Orlando Stadium. The final decision will be taken by the federation.
"I hope Safa will make an announcement in the next few days, we need a full house in honour of Tata (Mandela).
"We will also be using the game against Zambia as part of our campaign to mobilise support for Bafana Bafana and the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations finals.
"On Friday, we are launching the Magnificent Fridays campaign where the people of Gauteng and South Africa in general are urged to wear soccer jerseys on Fridays.
"We are planning a number of activation campaigns aimed at encouraging Gauteng communities to rally behind Bafana Bafana and the 2013 Afcon. There will also be public viewing areas so that our people will be able to watch the games on the big screens."
Gauteng will host the opening and closing ceremonies.
Bafana Bafana won the first and last time South Africa hosted the Afcon finals.
Zambia are the reigning champions of Africa.
Meanwhile, Zambian coach Herve Renard has already made it clear he will bring a star-studded side for the Bafana Bafana clash, including the China-based trio of Isaac Chansa, Christopher Katongo and James Chamanga.
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