Draw to set stage for 2010 'appetiser'
Michael Appel
18 November 2008
The draw for the 2009 Fifa Confederations Cup takes place at Johannesburg's Sandton Convention Centre on Saturday, with the eight qualifying teams to be matched up for the first round of the tournament.
South Africa, as host of the 2010 Fifa World Cup, gains automatic entry into the tournament, which features the six reigning Fifa continental champions - Brazil, Egypt, Spain, New Zealand, the United States and Iraq - and 2006 World Cup winners Italy.
'Appetiser to 2010'
Speaking at the launch the Confederations Cup marketing campaign in Johannesburg over the weekend, Local Organising Committee (LOC) chief marketing and commercial officer Derek Carstens said the campaign would encompass a wide range of media.
This would include billboards, pole ads, magazines, newspapers, television, radio and online advertising to raise awareness and excitement ahead of the tournament in June 2009.
"It is important to get the message out there now, because people are still unaware of the quality of the tournament," he said, adding that the Confederations Cup would be promoted as an appetiser to the main event – the 2010 World Cup.
Uniting behind Bafana
Also at the launch, Bafana Bafana coach Joel Santana said that South Africans needed to unite behind the national team.
"We have to be united, we have to play with our hearts, our spirits and will, and together, we will have a good campaign to honour our national jersey," he said. "Our focus is on 2010, we are building for the tournament – but we also want to do well in the Confederations Cup."
The event will take place from 14 to 28 June 2009, and the 16 matches will be played in four of South Africa's 2010 stadiums: Johannesburg's Ellis Park Stadium, Rustenburg's Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Pretoria's Loftus Versfeld, and Bloemfontein’s Free State Stadium.
Tickets for the confederations cup will go on sale on the day of the draw, 22 November, with prices starting from R70.
Source: BuaNews
