Thursday, 03 June 2010 13:47
Makhenkesi Stofile, the Minister of Sport and Recreation, has revealed that contrary to earlier media reports, Nelson Mandela will be at Soccer City for the opening match next week.
Despite his frail health, the 91-year-old Mandela will brave the chilly Highveld winter to attend the opening festivities.
Stofile said the former State President and Nobel Prize laureate had asked for four tickets from the board of the 2010 World Cup, that the request has been honoured and that Madiba is going to get his tickets.
"He himself demanded to be part of the opening match and the local organizing committee said fine," Stofile was quoted as saying.
Mandela will attend the opening match between South Africa and Mexico as well as the final on 11th July, again at Soccer City Stadium.
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Final World Cup 2010 Group Tables
A
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Uruguay |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 7 |
 Mexico |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
 South Africa |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -2 | 4 |
 France |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -3 | 1 |
B
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Argentina |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 9 |
 South Korea |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 4 |
 Greece |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -3 | 3 |
 Nigeria |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -2 | 1 |
C
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 United States |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
 England |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
 Slovenia |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
 Algeria |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -3 | 1 |
D
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Germany |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 6 |
 Ghana |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
 Australia |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -3 | 4 |
 Serbia |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -1 | 3 |
E
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Netherlands |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 9 |
 Japan |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
 Denmark |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -3 | 3 |
 Cameroon |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
F
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Paraguay |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
 Slovakia |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 4 |
 New Zealand |
3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
 Italy |
3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | -1 | 2 |
G
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Brazil |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 7 |
 Portugal |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 5 |
 Ivory Coast |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
 Korea DPR |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -11 | 0 |
H
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Spain |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
 Chile |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
 Switzerland |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
 Honduras |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -3 | 1 |
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Be on the Ball - FCO Travel Advice
Make the most of your trip to South Africa for the World Cup and make sure you visit the FCO Be on the Ball website for advice, top tips and information that will help you prepare for a successful trip.