Cape Town U20 fiesta not to replace AFCON
Flying Eagles players Gero, Innocent Simon training Wednesday afternoon in Cape Town
f/Eagles battle rivals Ghana
The Cape Town international U20 tournament is not to make up for
losing out on hosting next year’s Africa Cup of Nations, officials said.
‘The Mother City’ has attracted world U20 champions Brazil, five-time champions Argentina and African youth football powerhouses Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroon for a 10-day tournament, which kicks off Friday.
The city played host to the historic 2010 World Cup, but was not picked as one of the host cities for the 2013 Nations Cup to be hosted by South Africa.
Cape Town Provincial representative Ivan Meyer admitted it was disappointing that the city will not stage any match at year’s Nations Cup.
But Cape Town SAFA Norman Arendse insisted the 2012 Cape Town International Challenge was planned soon after the first edition in 2010.
“This competition was never to make up for Cape Town not hosting any match at next year’s Nations Cup,” maintained Arendse.
“We planned for it soon after we staged the first edition two years ago.
“I can tell you for sure that approvals are already in place for the next edition in 2014 and the city is again committed to partner with us in this.”
Arendse said the organisers have been swamped by enquiries from abroad.
“The interest we have generated has been massive and countries like England and the Netherlands even wanted to be a part of this competition,” he disclosed.
Officials further added that they hope that through this international event they could make Cape Town a sports Mecca.
This year’s tournament will be used to celebrate African youth day on Friday.
Nigeria won the inaugural Cape Town International Challenge.
‘The Mother City’ has attracted world U20 champions Brazil, five-time champions Argentina and African youth football powerhouses Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroon for a 10-day tournament, which kicks off Friday.
The city played host to the historic 2010 World Cup, but was not picked as one of the host cities for the 2013 Nations Cup to be hosted by South Africa.
Cape Town Provincial representative Ivan Meyer admitted it was disappointing that the city will not stage any match at year’s Nations Cup.
But Cape Town SAFA Norman Arendse insisted the 2012 Cape Town International Challenge was planned soon after the first edition in 2010.
“This competition was never to make up for Cape Town not hosting any match at next year’s Nations Cup,” maintained Arendse.
“We planned for it soon after we staged the first edition two years ago.
“I can tell you for sure that approvals are already in place for the next edition in 2014 and the city is again committed to partner with us in this.”
Arendse said the organisers have been swamped by enquiries from abroad.
“The interest we have generated has been massive and countries like England and the Netherlands even wanted to be a part of this competition,” he disclosed.
Officials further added that they hope that through this international event they could make Cape Town a sports Mecca.
This year’s tournament will be used to celebrate African youth day on Friday.
Nigeria won the inaugural Cape Town International Challenge.
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