Mbombela - Some 20 000 free tickets are up for grabs for anyone wishing to watch South Africa's developmental national soccer team tackle their Sweden counterparts at Mpumalanga's Mbombela stadium on Saturday.
The developmental squad, who are currently training in Mbombela, will use the weekend match as a warm-up ahead of the second Orange African Nations Championship tournament in Sudan next month.
"People can collect free tickets at the bus ranks at Mbombela, Malalane, White River, and at the KaNyamazane and Matsulu civic centre and at the Mbombela Stadium," said Mbombela stadium's interim manager, Roelf Kotze, on Wednesday.
Kotze said no more than 20 000 people would be allowed into the stadium because management could only afford to issue a limited number of free tickets.
"No tickets will be sold at all, but we will not allow more than the limited number of people inside the stadium," he said.
He added that Mbombela had kicked-off on a high note this year, with the Pumas and Mpumalanga Black Aces being the first sports teams to host their matches locally.
"The Pumas have chosen to use the Mbombela Regional Sport Stadium to play all their Currie Cup matches, and the Mpumalanga Black Aces will use the Mbombela stadium," said Kotze.
According to Mbombela stadium spokesperson, Ronnie Moyo, there's more to come.
"Apart from catering for our rugby and soccer fans, we've got some big time entertainment coming our way," he said.
He said that in July, preacher Angus Buchan will hold his Mighty Men Conference at the Mbombela stadium.
Buchan's annual conferences normally attract hundreds of thousands of men from all over the country and even the world. The stadium can carry only 46 000 people, however.
Moyo said the stadium would also host the South African Schools Cross Country Championships, marathon runs, mountain bike races, corporate relays, kids' camps, and other activities.
He said the upcoming matches to look out for include a rugby match between the Blue Bulls and Premier XV on 5 February, followed by a match between Mpumalanga Black Aces and Orlando Pirates the next day.
The Mpumalanga Black Aces will return to play Mamelodi Sundowns on 2 March, with Bidvest Wits and Kaizer Chiefs playing on 19 March.
From there Bidvest Wits will return to play against Bloemfontein Celtic on 30 April.
"We are still in the process of finalising more exciting events at the stadium. Free tickets are available for those interested in the Saturday match," said Moyo.
Saturday's match kicks off at 5pm.
