2013 Africa Cup of Nations South Africa

[hsark]

Originally Posted by annman

You're missing the point. You're using one forumers view to support a tirade against the proposed host cities. We ARE the South African taxpayers. We are not going to give SAFA a blank cheque, regardless of the event... sorry! You're disrespecting us by claiming we must shut up and host an event regardless of the questions surrounding host agreement legalities and financial obligations. Read again: our cities are not disrespecting AFCON, we are concerned with SAFA's contractual holes. And how can cities not question AFCON costs being as much as FIFA2010 as you claim: Have you heard of cost-benefit analysis; Cape Town's being clever, so if you think intelligence is disrespect, so be it.

Don't read into things, read the facts.

Our city was VERY clear: We want to host, just use international best practice of shared-responsibility and shared-liability and we will sign.

well said +1

[dysan1]

Delayed decision on Afcon
April 18 2012 at 12:51pm
By Lungelo Mkamba

INLSA

A decision on whether Durban would host matches in the African Cup of Nations (Afcon) soccer tournament would be made next Thursday, city manager Sibusiso Sithole said on Tuesday.

A council executive committee meeting at which the matter was to be discussed yesterday was postponed. The eThekwini council failed to meet last week’s deadline to sign the host cities agreement, and the SA Football Association (Safa) is expected to announce the host cities on Friday.

Asked why Durban was only making a decision next week – a week after the host cities would have been announced – Sithole said he was unaware of “Safa processes”.

“A formal presentation will be made to exco and a decision will be taken afterwards,” he said.

Sithole added that Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula had said last week that the government would help municipalities with some of the costs.

He did not give time frames for the cabinet’s ratification of the tournament, which would pave the way for the treasury to release funds later.

The Durban, Cape Town and Joburg municipalities have raised concerns over the financial implications of the host city agreement. Sithole said the city still did not know what the national department would pay for.

“The financial implications (of hosting the Afcon) need to be looked at carefully,” he said.

Sithole said earlier this month that it could cost the city “more than R50 million” to host the tournament. However, he declined to confirm that figure on Tuesday. “I will not speculate as that is a matter for discussion with the cabinet’s sub-committee on major events,” he said.

The Afcon local organising committee said it could not comment yesterday as Mbalula had prohibited further comment on the matter.

The ANC, DA, MF and NFP in the eThekwini council were unanimous on Tuesday that Durban should not host the tournament with ratepayers’ money. - The Mercury

[romanSA]

I totally agree that ratepayers shouldn't be footing this bill in any city. I suspect attendance (including international visitor) figures won't be spectacular to justify the huge spend.

[crazydude]

Host city announcements have been pushed back, again:

The announcement of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations host cities, scheduled to take place tomorrow, has been deferred because of financial discussions.

The decision will now be made on May 3.

Eight cities made their presentation to the Local Organising Committee (Afcon 2013 LOC) on Monday, March 26, reportedly including Johannesburg and Cape Town, despite their initial reservations about the cost of hosting the tournament.

The LOC evaluated and assessed the bids and ranked them, and recommendations were then sent to Cabinet for consideration.

But in a meeting yesterday (Wednesday) Cabinet decided that an inter-ministerial committee should be formed to further discuss matters pertaining to government guarantees – including financial aid – with the LOC.

CAF have been informed and agree to the postponement.

Kickoff

Hopefully by then all the problems can be sorted out.

[Pule]

Financial problems should be sorted by then and as well I hope SAFA and CAF will lure more sponsorship for the tournament.

[romanSA]

Durban set to host Afcon

May 2 2012 at 09:58am
By Lungelo Mkamba

While Durban is optimistic about hosting the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) soccer tournament at a cost of “about R40 million”, Cape Town has refused to sign a host city agreement until it knows exactly how much the event will cost.

Speaking before a national announcement on Thursday on which cities could host the event, which starts on January 19, eThekwini city manager Sibusiso Sithole told The Mercury on Tuesday that the city remained concerned about the financial implications and was still negotiating with the SA Football Association (Safa).

Mayor James Nxumalo, however, was optimistic that Durban would definitely be among the host cities.

“I am adamant and confident that Durban will be announced as one of the host cities. Durban will not be left out because the local organising committee inspected our city and grounds and was happy.”

Nxumalo said he would understand if the city was left out of hosting the opening and closing ceremony because “that usually happens in Johannesburg or Cape Town”.

“I am sure that Durban will host some of the games. The committee also praised us on our security.”

Despite signing the host city agreement, however, Nxumalo said the city had placed “certain conditions” on Safa.

“One of the conditions is that Safa must pay for the transport and accommodation of the teams.”

The city would offer three stadiums: Moses Mabhida, Princess Magogo in KwaMashu and Sugar Ray Xulu in Clermont.

Nxumalo added that hosting the tournament at ratepayers’ expense was not an option as it was a national event.

Sithole had written to Afcon’s local organising committee chief executive, Mvuzo Mbebe, over concerns about the financial implications of hosting matches in the Afcon tournament, saying the deal should not pose a financial burden for the city.

Sithole had also said the cost of hosting the tournament in Durban had dropped from R180m to “about R40m”.

“We are still trying to negotiate with Safa on sharing costs, but we have not reached an agreement… The costs need to be clarified,” he said.

“(Costs) will depend on whether we host the opening or closing ceremony or have fan parks like we did during the 2010 soccer World Cup. A lot must be considered.”

Cape Town, however, appears to have taken a tougher stance.

Our Cape Town correspondent reports that the city will take a decision on hosting the event only once the national government has given certain guarantees.

The decision to name host cities was postponed last month and Afcon organisers said the national government would make an announcement on guarantees tomorrow.

The announcement of host cities was originally set for a month earlier, but the Afcon local organising committee pushed the date ahead when Joburg and Cape Town said there was no clear indication of the probable cost.

Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula said the Treasury would decide what the guarantees would be for host cities.

Cape Town’s mayoral committee member for events, marketing and tourism, Grant Pascoe, said: “We haven’t heard anything yet. A cabinet task team is going to inform us what role the government will play and what the guarantees are. They can’t make an announcement yet on host cities. So we haven’t signed yet, we’re still waiting.”

The city wanted a guarantee from the Treasury to cover at least 50 percent of the costs.

The city also asked that the local organising committee disclose to host cities what it was receiving from the Confederation of African Football, and failing this disclosure, the city was asking that CAF and/or the local organising committee contribute 25 percent towards the event costs. The city and the Western Cape government would be able to cover 25 percent of the costs. - The Mercury


http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-afri...fcon-1.1287011

[romanSA]

Afcon not only prize on offer
02-May-2012
Ramatsiyi Moholoa

WITH five cities set to host the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations finals in South Africa, Polokwane is one of the four provisionally chosen to stage the 2014 African Nations Championships (Chan).

Avusa Sports has learnt that Johannesburg remains the hot favourite to host the opening and closing ceremonies of the Afcon tournament.

Gauteng sport, arts, culture and recreation MEC Lebogang Maile said they wanted the first and final matches of the Afcon finals to be played at Soccer City as was the case with the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

The other four cities provisionally given the go-ahead to host Afcon matches are Durban, Nelson Mandela Bay, Rustenburg and Mbombela.

Besides Polokwane, the other cities vying for Chan - which is for players based on the continent - are Cape Town, Mangaung and Kimberley.

Cabinet will meet tomorrow to discuss the host cities and preparations for the two tournaments, and make final recommendations.

Government spokesman Jimmy Manyi will make an announcement of the cities to host the two tournaments on Friday.

The Afcon guarantees have been discussed by an inter-ministerial committee representing sport, home affairs, health, finance, communications, the police and public service.

http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/sport/2...prize-on-offer

[crazydude]

Originally Posted by romanSA

Afcon not only prize on offer
02-May-2012
Ramatsiyi Moholoa

WITH five cities set to host the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations finals in South Africa, Polokwane is one of the four provisionally chosen to stage the 2014 African Nations Championships (Chan).

Avusa Sports has learnt that Johannesburg remains the hot favourite to host the opening and closing ceremonies of the Afcon tournament.

Gauteng sport, arts, culture and recreation MEC Lebogang Maile said they wanted the first and final matches of the Afcon finals to be played at Soccer City as was the case with the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

The other four cities provisionally given the go-ahead to host Afcon matches are Durban, Nelson Mandela Bay, Rustenburg and Mbombela.

Besides Polokwane, the other cities vying for Chan - which is for players based on the continent - are Cape Town, Mangaung and Kimberley.

Cabinet will meet tomorrow to discuss the host cities and preparations for the two tournaments, and make final recommendations.

Government spokesman Jimmy Manyi will make an announcement of the cities to host the two tournaments on Friday.

The Afcon guarantees have been discussed by an inter-ministerial committee representing sport, home affairs, health, finance, communications, the police and public service.

http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/sport/2...prize-on-offer

Was just about to post this article, and it seems the announcement has been delayed again, this time until Friday.

I can't see how CT would choose not to host the AFCON but host the much smaller CHAN. I'm glad PE is still likely to get AFCON matches though.

Hopefully this will be the last delay though, and we will finally know our host cities on Friday.

[Lydon]

Originally Posted by crazydude

I can't see how CT would choose not to host the AFCON but host the much smaller CHAN.

Probably because they have an idea of exactly how much it'll cost?

[dysan1]

would be surprised if they do know.

Durban has conditionally agreed, but there are big conditions attached. surprised though that the city manager is so chilled about saying yeah the opening and final games can go to Joburg... bloody hell demand that as part of your conditions too tool

[crazydude]

Cabinet has confirmed the cities for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations – Cape Town and Johannesburg will not host the tournament.

In a media briefing this morning Minister of Sports and Recreation Fikile Mbalula announced Nelspruit (Mbombela Stadium), Port Elizabeth (Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium), Rustenburg (Royal Bafokeng Stadium) and Durban (Moses Mabhida Stadium) as host cities.

Soccer City in Johannesburg will used for the opening and closing ceremonies. Cape Town will not host any matches at all, a pity considering the amount of support shown to Bafana Bafana in recent years.

A joint task team consisting of Sport and Recreation South Africa, the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs and the National Treasury will meet to discuss how to relieve the financial burden on the cities.

Regarding concerns about the cost of hosting the tournament, Mbalula says Cabinet has come to an agreement with Safa that a portion of the gate takings will be shared with CAF, the host cities and government.

Kickoff

First comments, yay PE is in, only 4 venues, so much for being the best AFCON ever! Also how will Soccer City host the ceremonies and not matches, this seems a bit crazy.

Not looking good.

Update from Supersport:

The government named the host cities on Friday for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) and the 2014 African Nations Championships (Chan) football tournaments.

Mbombela, Port Elizabeth, Rustenburg and eThekwini would host Afcon matches, with Soccer City in Johannesburg set to hold the opening and closing ceremonies. Polokwane, Kimberley, Bloemfontein, and Cape Town were selected to stage Chan matches.

The venues were approved by Cabinet after a meeting on Thursday. The sports ministry will meet the SA Football Association next week to finalise the budgets for the tournaments.

Supersport

Looks like PE, Rustenburg, Durban and Nelspruit will be host cities, while Soccer City will be used, but Joburg won't be a host city.

At least CT and the other cities get the runner up prizes. Looks like only Pretoria gets nothing out of this.

[romanSA]

This is very confusing. So, Jhb will host open and closing ceremonies and not the opening match and final (completely irrational), or closing ceremony and final (more rational)? Doesn't seem as if the opening match or final will be hosted in Jhb, as that would make Jhb a host city, no? But if Jhb is hosting the final ceremony and not the final, then both events will have to be hosted on different dates or hours apart. Otherwise, spectators (and officials) will have to choose which they want to attend, seeing as they sometimes take place a short period apart. If they are taking place on the same day but different venues, spectators would have enough to go home to watch the match on TV, and officials would need time to catch a flight to host city of the finals.

And why is it so unacceptable for other SA cities other than Jhb to host a closing ceremony??? Does SAFA and govt deem them to be incapable (in terms of stadium and organisational ability) or unworthy? The precedent set here is that even if Jhb doesn't bid to host a tournament, it is special enough to get some something big from the event. Very pathetic reasoning, in my opinion.

Now the big question is which city will host the final? Seems Durban or PE would be the favourites, with Durban having the edge, methinks.

[MrChavcore]

hahaha! what a complete mess this turned out to be!

[romanSA]

De Lille: CT let down by Afcon omission

May 4 2012 at 02:01pm
By SAPA

The City of Cape Town said on Friday it was disappointed after losing out as a host nation for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) football tournament.

“From the outset, the City expressed its desire to be part of what we truly believe is a celebration of African football,” Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille said in a statement.

“However, at each stage of the process, we have highlighted a number of serious legal, financial and other concerns that needed to be negotiated in order for the City to comply with our legal responsibilities, and to ensure that we did not compromise the interests of the ratepayers and citizens of Cape Town.”

De Lille said Cape Town's concerns had been shared by a number of other municipalities.

“We continue to believe that it would have been irresponsible to sign a host city agreement without substantial amendments to the agreement,” she said.

“The fact that other municipalities have seen fit to do so is surprising, given the serious problems associated with the agreement.”

De Lille said Cape Town, which boasts the Cape Town Stadium – a 2010 World Cup venue – had not received a reply regarding its concerns, which had “fallen on deaf ears”.

The government announced earlier on Friday that Mbombela, Port Elizabeth, Rustenburg and eThekwini would host Afcon matches, with FNB Stadium in Johannesburg set to hold the opening and closing matches and ceremonies.

This met the Confederation of African Football (Caf) minimum requirement of four venues, rather than the six that the Afcon local organising committee (LOC) had earlier earmarked.

Cape Town, which had been vocal about possible high costs of holding matches, would host 2014 African Nations Championships (Chan) matches.

Polokwane, Kimberley and Bloemfontein would also stage Chan games.

Sport Minister Fikile Mbalula, who had previously given assurance that government would assist with costs, said a task team would finalise procedures with the SA Football Association next week.

“The issue of budgets is not a problem,” Mbalula said.

“Understand that this is not a 'spaza shop', we still have to sit down and look at overall costs.

“We have stopped the LOC from running to the cities. Now all issues will be forwarded to the centre (task team).

“If Johannesburg, for instance, has a problem, we will account to that.”

To generate maximum income from the tournaments, Mbalula hoped that Caf would loosen some of its stringent requirements, and be allowed to bring sponsors on board that would help in cutting expected government costs.

“Private companies will also come in,” he said.

“We will need to pursue negotiations with Caf to ensure that this happens.

“We agreed that if Caf comes to the party, then gate takings should be shared between Caf, hosting cities and government.” – Sapa


http://www.iol.co.za/sport/soccer/cu...sion-1.1289466

[romanSA]

So, now it seems as if Jhb is a host as it's hosting at least two matches (opening and final)...

----------------

Joburg to host Afcon opener, final

May 4 2012 at 12:36pm
By SAPA

The Africa Cup of Nations champions next year will be crowned in the same calabash-inspired Johannesburg stadium as the 2010 World Cup winners, sport minister Fikile Mbalula said Friday.

“We will host the opening and closing games and ceremonies in Johannesburg,” said Mbalula, ending long speculation and dilly-dallying on the announcement of the five host cities.

Other hosts are Rustenburg, Nelspruit, Port Elizabeth and Durban, he said.

Noteably absent is Cape Town, whose landmark seafront stadium was built for the World Cup. The city, one of the few run by the political opposition, had reportedly balked at the costs associated with hosting the tournament.

But Mbalula said location was the deciding factor.

“Rather than using the whole of the republic we have reduced to a total number of about four, five stadiums so that they are close to each other.”

The venue for the final was built for the World Cup two years ago with 94,700 seats, and is covered in clay-coloured panels inspired by the calabash gourd used widely as a pot across Africa.

Spain beat the Netherlands 1-0 in extra time to win the championships.

Mbalula declined to comment on the budget for the tournament but said South Africa's government, private companies and the Confederation of African Football would all contribute.

“On relieving the financial burden for host cities, there's a joint task team... which will meet with the host cities individually to allay fears,” he said.

The 32-match tournament should be welcome business for the cities, where the state spent billions of rands to build new and upgrade old stadiums for a handful of 2010 games.

Some have failed to attract home sports teams and even pay for matches featuring top local sides, while activities like bungee-jumping, religious events and concerts with artists like Coldplay and U2 help foot some bills. – Sapa-AFP


http://www.iol.co.za/sport/soccer/cu...inal-1.1289345

[annman]

BLEH! Seems all this is a giant... MEH!

[Fido Dido]

Great selection by SAFA!

Who needs cape town? Not me!!!

Too much arrogance on their part, you build a brand new stadion /stade for the world cup but cannot pay little money for hosting a couple of games for the nations cup.

Lets hope congo makes it, i might fly to south africa to watch the games.

allez a l'enfer cape town

[Lydon]

Originally Posted by romanSA

“We continue to believe that it would have been irresponsible to sign a host city agreement without substantial amendments to the agreement,” she said.

“The fact that other municipalities have seen fit to do so is surprising, given the serious problems associated with the agreement.”

And few people act surprised when the City of Cape Town is one of few municipalities countrywide with a clean audit year after year

[LADEN]

Rustenburg should host Chan while Cape Town should host Afcon.

[Dale1]

Totally agree with you RomanSA. Why does Joburg think they are so special that they dont need to be one of the host cities but must still have the 2 most important games. Its so wrong. In this situation Durban should be the one to host the opening and final. Its like no other city will ever get anything big no matter what just because Joburg is "Joburg". Its like Durban hosting the Olympics and the 100m being run in Joburg. I dont care how much of a symbol FNB Stadium is, Moses Mabhida is also a symbol. Really annoying and arrogant by Joburg and Safa and whoever the hell else makes these decisions. Despite all this Im still chuft that Durban is a host.