HOME > NEWS > 2012 AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS QUALIFIERS TO USE SA FACILITIES

2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers to use SA facilities

World Cup stadiums in demand ahead of Afcon

Posted: 2011-12-09 12:58

Several countries that have qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations are heading to South Africa to use World Cup facilities ahead of the tournament in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

Among the countries that have expressed interest in setting up a training base in South Africa are Zambia, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea and Angola.

Both Zambia and Ghana are expected to play friendlies against Bafana Bafana. The dates and venues of these matches are yet to be finalised.

Boasting some of the best facilities in the world and similar weather to Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, South Africa will be ideal for countries to prepare to the Nations Cup.

ahead of the championship that runs from January 21-February 12

In the past, a number of African countries set up training camps in Europe and flew back to Africa just before the tournament kicked off, but the utilisation of South Africa's World Cup facilities should trigger massive interest, in Africa and around the globe.

Safa CEO Robin Petersen says he is excited by the interest, as it will go a long way in sustaining the World Cup legacy.

"We want the 2010 World Cup legacy to benefit several generations to come, especially South Africans and the football family on this African continent," Petersen says.

"Setting up bases here is a good sign that our World Cup facilities will never turn into a white elephant."

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Kagiso R: 2011-12-09 13:47

Great! But we didn't spend billions of rands for training camps. OR Did we Mr Petersen?

Ganadlha: 2011-12-09 13:57

All those team who want to play BB they just waste their time well for practice match its fine not for preparation for the AFCON.they need to get stronger opponent.BB too weak.Always get pushed in never qualify this days.boring coach boring players who captain the team but their warming the bench on the respective teams.so BB is moving one step behing everyday.
SoccerCity let it stay like that.hope SAFA will keep on arranging games for themself to practice on it.

Dooba OPC: 2011-12-09 14:56

This is the only area where safa received no criticism because when coming to finances they pass with flying colours. And should we be surprised that they pass the finacial situations easily? No: they are funded partly by government and take advatage of SA economy through sponsorships- so in a nutshell, safa does not pass anything, just like Bafana, they never pass any test but qualify by virtue of the given. So Pietersen should spare us his excitement because it is not hard earned!

SABELO : 2011-12-09 15:03

Breaking News: Danny Jordaan withdrew his candidacy at the very last minite for the position of president of the Cosafa today.

Marlon: 2011-12-09 15:47

The only f*cking legacy I want is my beloved Bafana playing in the AFCON and World Cup. But you F8ckers are ruining everything.

The Ghost: 2011-12-09 19:38

Charge them an arm and a leg!!!!!!!!!

jomo totodi moiloa : 2011-12-10 07:13

Pls,pls fellows cum use the facilities because u goo in that..

zar ngwevela : 2011-12-10 08:20

Call me anything you want I support THE GHOST on this one " charge them an arm and a leg ", blood suckers !

Obi : 2011-12-10 09:40

If you are not good enough to qualify,others will use your facilities .simple

porgylah: 2011-12-11 11:58

Such negativity and and persimism make me sick to the core. People need to get over our non qualification and look to the future with open minds. There is nothing better than having African stars training in our back yard and using what many percimists called white elphants. Many African countries went to Europe for training because Africa lacked facilities but now the South Africa has such facilities hence less money is leaving the continent for Europe and our local players are going to get invaluable experience practicing against world class players, this is good for our football and economy. So please stop the hating and lets look at the bright sie of life.