Capetonians outraged by 2013 Afcon exclusion

Cape Town Stadium, more commonly known as Greenpoint Stadium recently hosted an international friendly between South Africa and Norway. Last year it was announced that the stadium wouldn’t host any 2013 African Cup of Nations games, so it was the Capetonians last chance to flock to the stadium to watch Bafana Bafana in action before the continental showpiece kicks off in Johannesburg on the 19^th of January.

Walking into Cape Town Stadium on Tuesday night to watch Bafana take on Norway one couldn’t help but feel that only a few would pitch to watch a third string Norway side battle Bafana Bafana. Only a few fans were scattered around the stadium an hour before kickoff and under attendance that has been such a problem across the country seemed imminent come kick off.

By kick-off, when both teams lined up for their respective national anthems, over 35 000 people had gathered to watch the game, despite the recent problem of under attendance faced by South African football it was a welcome sight for football enthusiasts across South Africa, with the biggest smile reserved for Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula. World Cup fever returned to the Mother City as fans sang along to their favourite 2010 World Cup songs in what was a festive atmosphere. The Fans were vocal throughout the game, especially extravagant whenever Bafana neared the opposition’s penalty area. The fans sprit was slightly dampened by Norway’s goal in the 41^st minute but they were still extremely vocal as they cheered on their beloved Bafana Bafana. The atmosphere was especially special because of the beauty of the stadium and the way the stadium enhances audio through its magnificent architecture. Cape Town Stadium is nestled between Table Mountain and the world-renowned Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. The stadium forms part of its beautiful surroundings that is enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.

Capetonian Bafana fans are clearly passionate about their team, their eagerness to watch their team succeeded was clearly visible throughout the Norway match. With the signature chants and hand signals making its way through the crowd on a regular basis. One couldn’t help but feel proud to be a South African while sitting inside the iconic stadium, and its sad that the Capetonias who are such wonderful ambassadors for our country are excluded from the continental tournament.

 Besides hosting a number of 2010 FIFA World Cup Games, including the semi-final between eventually runners-up Netherlands and Uruguay, the stadium has also hosted concerts.

The absence of 2013 Afcon games in Cape Town is an underserved blow for a huge community. Cape Town has continuously produced good crowds, making it likely that an 2013 Afcon game held there would have been well-attended. Through the course of the 2010 Fifa World Cup, Cape Town Stadium had an average attendance of over 60 000 spectators. Cape Town has a huge football community, but the national side has only played there five times in the past 19 years.

According to Mbalula, Cape Town was not awarded any Afcon games because the organisers wanted the venues to be close to each other.

It didn’t take long for fans to voice their frustration at this exclusion. They criticized the South African Football Association for using the friendly against Norway as a sort of cover-up.

According to Major Pezisa, “[SAFA] are blinding us with this game (Bafana v Norway) and making us think we have enough for now.”

Ingrid Daniels said that “the Western Cape is part of South Africa, [and] Cape Town has a big soccer-supporting community, so why are we being ignored?”. Siyabonga Gwexe echoed her frustration. “It is unfair towards Capetonians. Clearly we love soccer and support Bafana, so why don’t we get any games?”.

Other fans emphasised that Bafana Bafana would still need Capetonian support to stand a chance of winning the Afcon trophy for the second time. “Of course it’s sad that we won’t have any Afcon games here in Cape Town, but it’s more important that people go to the stadiums and support Bafana,” Vincent Carolissen said. John Linden agreed: “It is unfair to us as Capetonians, but there is nothing we can do about it. Let’s just hope Bafana fans from other part of the country will flock to the stadiums.”  Linden added: “This is a beautiful stadium, the fact that it is being underused is unfair.”

One fan was especially vocal and outraged by Cape Town’s exclusion: “Look at all the supporters gathered here tonight, we feel betrayed, it is sad that we don’t have any 2013 Afcon games,” Chris van Zyl said.

Cape Town has proven that it has a more than worthy football supporting community, the effects of excluding the Western Cape from 2013 Afcon might be felt after the tournament has concluded.

As the fans finally left the stadium clearly saddened by their teams performance one can feel that a big part of the sadness was the fact that they will be limited to their TV screens come 19 January.