Spain touch down ahead of Bafana clash

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Johannesburg – World and European champions Spain have touched down at OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday morning.

They were accompanied by an entourage of over 40 members of the media, ahead of their clash with Bafana Bafana on Tuesday.

Bafana will face off the world champions in a match that will give South Africans an opportunity to relive the 2010 Fifa World Cup memories.

The star studded team includes most of the players that went to beat Netherlands 1-0 at FNB during the 2010 Fifa World Cup final.

Bafana on the other side have warmed up for a showdown by scoring two early second-half goals to set up a 3-0 friendly win in Swaziland on Friday.

Spain will be fielding stars like Iker Casillas, Javi Martinez, and Sergio Ramos, while Bafana's heroes will include Dean Furman, Ayanda Patosi, Itumeleng Khune and Siphiwe Tshabalala.

The size of the media contingent reflects the intense interest in the match, which will be screened live throughout Europe and other parts of the globe. 

According to the South African Football Association (Safa), the sports reporters representing radio, online, print and television from 14 different media establishments in Spain will cover the match and give a healthy boost to South Africa’s image in the process.

Bafana Bafana head coach Gordon Igesund has promised to make South Africa a force to be reckoned with in time for the 2015 and 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments in Morocco and Libya, and the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Tickets for the match are on sale at Computicket, Shoprite, Checkers and Shoprite/Checkers stores countrywide.

Tickets cost R50 for the top tier; R200 for the middle tier and R100 for the bottom tier.

There are also suite ticket packages available for R895 and R1 650. - SAnews.gov.za