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2010 World Cup

Durban Stadium

Durban Stadium (Durban)

Capacity: 70 000
Budget: R1.83-billion
Architect: iBhola lethu
Contractor: Group 5/WBHO/Pandev JV
Start building: October 2006
Target LOC/Fifa completion date: October 30, 2009
Scheduled completion date: May 29, 2009

2010 World Cup matches:

Six first-round matches, one second-round match and one semifinal.

Details and progress:

Progress is going well, despite having had a court challenge from a tenderer who lost the bid to build the stadium. When completed, Durban Stadium could in future also host the Olympics thanks to its athletic track. The stadium’s ornate roof and arches will make it one of the World Cup’s most striking venues.

The City

Durban is the second largest city in South Africa and the busiest port in Africa – and ninth in the world. However, it is perhaps more famous for its tourism thanks to its golden beaches and tropical climate, with the Golden Mile along the beachfront the prime spot.

The area which forms Durban was first founded by British Lieutenant FG Farewell in 1824, although it was not until 1835 that the decision was taken to build the capital city and name it after the governor of the Cape Colony, Sir Benjamin d’Urban.

Before that, Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama had made landfall in the area on Christmas Day in 1497.

Durban is one of South Africa’s top sporting cities. The Sharks rugby team and Dolphins cricket side are perennial challengers in their respective competitions, but soccer has struggled in recent years.

AmaZulu are the ‘yoyo club’ of South African football, while Golden Arrows more often than not fight relegation come the end of the season.

Recently, a third Premier eague side was added to the province in the form of Thanda Royal Zulu FC, who relocated after buying Benoni Premier United’s franchise.

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