African News

LOC: We're ready for AFCON

Mbebe: Confident of success

Mbebe: Confident of success

Africa Cup of Nations Local Organising Committee chief executive Mvuzo Mbebe says they are ready for the tournament.

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The 2013 edition of Africa's biggest competition kicks off on Saturday, with hosts South Africa taking on minnows Cape Verde at the National Stadium in Johannesburg.

The country received glowing praise for their handling of the 2010 World Cup, and the LOC are confident of another impressive tournament.

"When we started this journey, we said we would try our best to make the continent proud, make the Confederation of African Football (CAF) proud, and ensure spectators get a good experience," Mbebe said on Friday.

"We have tried our best, and there will no doubt be glitches along the way and challenges in certain areas, but we believe we are ready."

Ticket sales were questioned and are still under scrutiny but the LOC is not accepting this as a done deal as they push for more sales.

"We are still worried about Rustenburg and Nelson Mandela Bay (Port Elizabeth) and we want to push to try and sell more tickets in these areas," he added.

Less than 60,000 seats had been sold for seven matches at Royal Bafokeng Stadium, and while over 100,000 had been sold for the eight games at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, the LOC hoped for a boost in ticket sales during the tournament.

"Ticket sales are not low. In the history of AFCON, we have never filled the stadiums to this level at this stage," CAF's general-secretary Hicham El Amrani said of the 560,000 tickets - of a capacity of 850,000 - had been sold.

Only the opening matches at the National Stadium are sold out. South Africa and Cape Verde clash in the first game at 6pm and Angola faces Morocco at 9pm.

Both Group A games are preceded by the traditional opening ceremony which starts at 4pm.

Posted: 18/01/13 15:54

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