Searching for Crowds, South Africa to Play in London

October 10th, 2006 | by: WC Bob |

It doesn’t speak particularly well of 2010 World Cup host South Africa that they have decided to play an international friendly against Egypt in London in November because they can expect a better crowd in England than they would get at home.

“It’s a decision we took based on what happened in our last match against Congo when we attracted about 6000 fans,” said South African Football Association chief executive officer Raymond Hack. “We can do better in London.”

The Bafana Bafana have played just one of 10 international games at home this year and plummeting attendance figures has to leave you wondering how a country whose football fan base is not the wealthiest will do selling high priced World Cup tickets four years from now. Of course, if it is anything like Germany, the tickets will be swooped up by the corporate sponsors and FIFA cronies anyway.

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Jacqui

It must be remembered that there are more than 1 million South Africans living in the U.K and about 400 000+ living in London (an estimated 45 000 living in Wimbledon alone).

Approxamately 1.5 million hold dual British and South African passports so there the statistics may be higher.

With a high unemployment rate many people in South Africa can not afford to pay for expensive tickets. It should be noted that this particular match is being held to raise money for the Nelson Mandela foundation.

I can understand why they felt it was better to move the game. They want to make as much money as possible for the Nelson Mandela foundation.

There are loads of South Africans (particularly highly skilled people such as doctors, dentists and teachers) working in England who can easily afford to fork out money for that match.

Not to mention the Egyptian people living there. As well as other soccer lovers!!
Lee

Can somebody please tell me where I can buy tickets for the SA vs Egypt game?