Pretoria - With all the infrastructure changes and upgrades completed, the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria is ready to be handed over to FIFA for the upcoming Confederations Cup.
"The stadium is ready and will be handed over to FIFA on Monday, 8 June, for the exclusive period of the Confederations Cup," said Tshwane 2010 FIFA World Cup Programme Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Godfrey Nkwane on Thursday.
With the upgrade project completed within the revised budget of R131 million, Mr Nkwane said: "The stadium is standing tall in readiness to host thousands of football fans."
As part of the project, the new roof over the eastern pavilion has been erected, as well as ablution facilities and new turnstiles. The stadium also has a media centre in place.
According to the CEO, the VIP and VVIP seating was also replaced this week.
The stadium will host the match between the United States of America and Italy on 15 June at 8pm.
Designed to host 49 000 spectators, the stadium will host mostly Group B matches consisting of the USA, African Champions Egypt, Italy as well as Brazil.
The most thrilling match to be played at the stadium is between world champions, Italy and FIFA Confederations Cup title defenders and Copa America champions, Brazil, on 21 June at 2:30pm.
Outlining the traffic plan for the tournament, Mr Nkwane said in terms of traffic flow restrictions, the city will apply a soft lockdown system (closure of some roads).
Motorists using roads such as Kirkness Street, Jorissen Street and parts of Bond Street will be affected by the closure.
Mr Nkwane added that the full traffic lockdown will take place between 14-21 June during the Confederations Cup. He said on these days, traffic will be intercepted at two boundaries, and traffic zones and diversion roads will be identified and marked.
In order to make the lives of business people and residents residing next to the stadium convenient, the City of Tshwane has organised 3 000 special accreditation permits.
These accreditation permits, which will allow residents access to their homes will be handed out this week.
Mr Nkwane said residents who wished to apply and collect their permits can visit the security or information points situated on Farenden Street, between Schoeman and Arcadia.
He added that security measures are in place in and around the stadium as well as in the city at large particularly at the public viewing areas.
The FIFA Confederations Cup public view areas will be at Temba Sports Ground in Hammaskraal on 14 June for the opening match between Bafana Bafana and Asia Champions, Iraq (4pm) which will be played at the Coca Cola Park in Johannesburg.
Hammaskraal residents will also have a chance to watch the second match of the day between OFC Nations Cup Champions New Zealand locking horns with European Champions, Spain, which will kick-off at 8:30pm at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.
Meanwhile, in Soshanguve, Block X will host the public viewing event on Saturday, 20 June, for the Spain/SA match and on the next day, Soshanguve residents will have an opportunity to watch the match between Brazil and Italy at 8:30pm.
Another public viewing area will be at the Mbolekwa Sports Complex in Atteridgeville where residents will watch the first semifinal on Wednesday, 24 June. On the following day, the second semifinal will be shown at the same venue at 8:30pm.
The City of Tshwane has also confirmed that the big screen for the third and forth playoff as well as for the final to be played on Sunday, 28 June, will be erected at the Moretele Park in Mamelodi.
Great festivity has been promised at all public viewing areas, including music and other entertainment.
