More teams arrives in SA for World Cup

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Johannesburg - Switzerland's football squad arrived in the country and swiftly made their way to the Emerald Resort and Casino in Vanderbijlpark, just hours before the kick-off of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The team touched down in South Africa on Thursday morning at the OR Tambo International Airport from Zurich. The Swiss are in group H and will open their World Cup campaign against Spain at Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban on 16 June at 4pm.

They will then play against Chile at Nelson Mandela Bay on 21 June, before they travel to Mangaung in Bloemfontein to lock horns with Honduras.

The arrival of Switzerland brings the total number of the 2010 World Cup teams in the country to 30. Five other teams including the defending champions, Italy, arrived in the country on Wednesday. The other teams are Serbia, Honduras, Slovakia and Cameroon.

Ivory Coast is also scheduled to land in South Africa on Thursday. The Elephants will come with their skipper, Didier Drogba, who will miss their Group G opening match against Portugal on 15 June at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium.

The Chelsea centre forward star broke his arm during a World Cup warm up match against Japan a week ago.

However, it is anticipated that the lethal striker will be ready when his team face Brazil at Soccer City on 20 June and again when the Elephants play against Korea DPR in Nelspruit on 25 June.

Local Organising Committee boss, Dany Jordaan said: "I am sure that the teams arriving today (Wednesday) got more than they bargained for with the huge crowds on the street and the sound of the vuvuzela's.

"It was a fitting welcome and a good indication to the teams of the colour and excitement that will follow them during South Africa's World Cup," he said.

The Spanish team will arrive in South Africa on Friday.