Eight South African cities bid for 2013 African Nations Cup matches

By David Gold

March 28 – Eight cities – Johannesburg, Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth, Durban, Cape Town, Polokwane (pictured), Rustenburg and Nelspruit – have bid to host matches at next year’s African Nations Cup, hosted by South Africa.

The final decision is due on April 4, with South Africa looking to make use of the 2010 FIFA World Cup stadiums, which cost 11 billion rand (£900 million/$1.5 billion/€1.1 billion) to build, in order to maximise the tournament’s legacy.

Pretoria remains the only city to host World Cup matches which has not bid for the African Nations Cup.

Mandla Mazibuko (pictured), the deputy President of the South Africa Football Association (SAFA), said: “The process is well under way and we are ready to hear what the cities have in mind in terms of hosting the tournament.

“This is going to be a great African gathering of players, administrators and supporters.

“We are known for hosting memorable events.

“We did it with the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

“We will do the same with the 2013 African Nations Cup.

“A lot of people who could not come here during the World Cup are looking forward to the trip.”

South Africa has previously indicated its intentions to use seven venues during the tournament, originally scheduled for Libya but moved following last year’s Civil War, meaning one city is likely to miss out.

Libya will instead host the 2017 event, which was initially given to South Africa.

The 2013 tournament is just a year after the last one so that future competitions – usually every two years – do not clash with World Cup years, with the winner scheduled to compete in next summer’s Confederations Cup in Brazil.

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