Johannesburg - It's a hive of activity across the country's FIFA Ticketing Centres today as thousands of South Africans are trying to book their pass to the soccer spectacle.
Some fans have skipped work while others have dipped into their life savings so that they can be part of South African history.
" I'm over the moon because I'm about to get in, I'm number 36," said one fan from Randburg, who said he was skipping work to stand in line.
"I lied to my boss that I'm not feeling well ...I just had to lie because this is a once in a lifetime opportunity."
Another thrilled soccer fan, Zaid Seedat, said he used the family's savings to buy the tickets. "My wife doesn't really know that most of the money came from our savings. I will inform her later," he told BuaNews at the Laico Isle Ticket Centre in Sandton.
Another young couple Siya and Thandile Zondi said they have been saving since 2008 for the tickets. The duo didn't mind which match tickets they got. "As long as we get the tickets that is all that matters ...I want to tell my children that we were there," said Siya.
The fifth and last phase of the ticketing sales has kicked off giving soccer fans an opportunity to buy tickets over- the -counter at their nearest ticketing centre.
More than 500 000 tickets for the 63 matches will be made available on first come first served basis. For the final, there are only 300 tickets available.
Eleven ticketing centres across the country will be open seven-days a week from 9am to 6pm.
Just before the centre opened in Sandton, there was a long snake-like queue with some soccer enthusiasts queuing from last night eager to snap-up tickets.
As they got into the centre in an orderly manner, some punched the air in excitement, some screamed while others said a short prayer.
Local Organising Committee CEO Danny Jordaan urged South Africans to take full advantage of the system, adding that the ticketing centre would answer the concerns of most football-loving fans in Johannesburg, and South Africa as a whole.
FIFA is applying this system for the first time after South Africans complained that the online and bank methods were too complicated.
"Our people are used to the over-the-counter system to purchase soccer match tickets that is why we have decided to accommodate them. We want to see all the matches played in front of capacity crowds.
"You are not only buying the ticket but a piece of South African history," Jordaan told the hundreds of fans outside the ticketing centre on Thursday.
The centre is abuzz with excitement and there is a heavy police presence keeping a watchful eye on the long queue which is likely to continue on until the centre closes for the day.
