Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, was the scene for England’s nerve-wracking first-round breakthrough match on 23 June. The first of South Africa’s 2010 Fifa World Cup stadiums to be completed, it was officially opened on 7 June 2009 – a year before the tournament. Before the World Cup it had already hosted a British and Irish Lions rugby match, a Soweto derby football match between top local teams Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, and a football international between Japan and South Africa.
For the World Cup the stadium has a capacity of 46 000 seats, and is host to five first-round matches, one second-round, one quarter-final, and the third-place play-off.
All photos courtesy Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality
On 11 March the first football match ever played in Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium pitted the Frankie Schoeman Invitation team against the Mayoral Invitation team.
30 April 2009
30 April 2009
2 May 2009
2 May 2009
7 June 2009
7 June 2009
11 June 2009
11 June 2009
11 June 2009
11 June 2009
11 June 2009
25 July 2009
25 July 2009
25 July 2009
25 July 2009
25 July 2009
3 August 2009
3 August 2009
The Japanese and South African squads enter the field before the stadium’s inaugural international football match on 14 November 2009.
The Japanese squad before the stadium’s inaugural international football match on 14 November 2009.
Japan and South Africa play the stadium’s inaugural international football match on 14 November 2009.
Japan and South Africa play the stadium’s inaugural international football match on 14 November 2009.
Japan and South Africa play the stadium’s inaugural international football match on 14 November 2009.
Bafana Bafana supporters at the stadium’s inaugural international football match on 14 November 2009.
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