Limpopo provincial government has set aside more than R5 million to host the Cosafa tournament. The province will host the 18th edition of the soccer tournament for the first time and will feature 14 countries from Southern Africa.
The tournament will be played at the three stadiums in Polokwane from the 27th of May to the 9th of June.
For the first time, all the 14 member nations which constitute Cosafa will participate in the 18th edition of the tournament.
Twenty-three matches will be played over a period of 14 days at the new and old Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane, Seshego stadium outside Polokwane.
There is a possibility that the Thohoyandou stadium which is 150 kilometres from Polokwane, will host some of the matches. Approximately 240 players and 100 technical officials from the region will participate in the tournament.
Limpopo MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture Onicca Moloi, says they will give the final report on the state of readiness next week.
“We have three identified stadiums the fourth one is still under consideration which is Thohoyandou and both the old and new Peter Mokaba stadiums which are always hosting the PSL teams are very ready. In the next week or so we should be able to give the final report on the state of readiness as the province treasury has approved R5.2 million and the entire tournament is going to costs R20 million there’s going to be provision to made by both Safa and Cosafa.”
Cosafa secretary general, Sue Destombes says they are not concerned about the behaviour of spectators because the passion for local soccer is different from a national tournament.
She says they are excited that they will host the tournament for the first time in Limpopo.
“We are very excited that we are going to the province of Limpopo. The passion that is in gender with club football is quite different from national team football with Limpopo in Polokwane in particular having previously hosted the 2010 World Cup and the 2013 Afcon anyway they will put strict measures in place.”
More than 100 000 people from SADC countries are expected to come to the province for the tournament. The tournament is expected to provide great entertainment for fans in the build-up to the FIFA World Cup in Russia.
