Johannesburg- Tickets for the Bafana Bafana friendly international against Colombia at Soccer City tomorrow evening are selling like hot cakes says South African Football Association (Safa) CEO Leslie Sedibe.
Addressing the media at the team's hotel in Johannesburg on Wednesday, Sedibe said over 55 000 tickets have been sold so far.
Bafana will play against 34th ranked Colombia at Soccer City on Thursday evening. Kick-off is at 8:35pm.
"It would be wrong of us not to acknowledge the current tremendous support the national team is receiving from fans. We noted that people are going to the stadiums in large numbers to support the national team. Over 55 000 tickets for tomorrow's friendly have been sold," he said.
Sedibe said the idea of taking the match to Soccer City is to give the team an opportunity to play in front of a huge crowd ahead of their World Cup opening match against Mexico on June 11.
Sedibe also announced that Bafana will play against the little known Guatamela national team at the Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane on May 31.
Bafana coach, Carlos Alberto Parreira was expected to trim his 29-man squad to 23 on May 31, but it seems as if he will now announce his World Cup squad on June 1.
Following their current superb performance, Bafana have moved from 90 to 83 in the latest FIFA World rankings. Since the return of Parreira, Bafana have not lost a single match in their preparation for the World Cup.
Everton's player of the year, Steven Pienaar who has been a missing link in Bafana's midfield said he is ready and fit to play in the Bafana colours.
"It is an honour for me to play for the national team. I am confident and I always believe in myself. They have not yet told me if will be given an opportunity to play tomorrow, but I am fit and ready to play," he said.
The England-based player said the team is expecting a tough game against Colombia.
"I know a few of their players and they are a strong side, but however, we will go out without feeling any pressure. We will be playing our own style of football," he said.
He added that the team was looking forward to their opening match against Mexico on June 11.
The host nation is in group A of the 2010 FIFA World Cup with Mexico, France and Uruguay.
