FORMER Kaizer Chiefs' public relations officer, Louis "Sprinter" Tshakoane, has received a national call-up to assist in ensuring the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations Local Organising Committee is a resounding success.

Now serving as president of the Safa Ekurhuleni region, Tshakoane has been appointed marketing manager who will be in charge of Soccer City where the opening and final matches will be played.

"When I was approached by the LOC to serve in their marketing department, I did not think twice because Afcon is a tournament that we need to use to show the world we are passionate about soccer.

"It is where top stars like Didier Drogba, Yaya and Kole Toure, Nadir Belhadj, Seydou Keita, John Obi Mikel, Siphiwe Tshabalalala, as well as Manucho, will be on display.

"When we hosted the 1996 Afcon finals, I went to the late Bra Stix (Morewa, former Safa president) saying that I would assist in making sure Bafana Bafana played in front of big crowds.

" I have no doubt we will have more than 90000 people when we host the opening and final matches.

"The process of interacting with the masses has started, it is a campaign where we will mobilise South Africans to buy tickets in their numbers.

"The big crowd that turned out for the Soweto derby encouraged many of us, it confirmed that the people of South Africa still love soccer religiously.

"Our CEO, Mvuso Mbebe, is calling on South Africans to spend their money wisely during the festive season so that they will still have some left to buy tickets," said Tshakoane.

In Port Elizabeth, former Athletics South Africa board member Gogo Manqoyi will be the marketing manager in charge of Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Platinum Stars manager Obed Legobate is handling marketing in Rustenburg, where he is responsible for Royal Bafokeng Stadium.