Progress at NMB stadium in Port Elizabeth has been hailed as a great success after a visit by South Africa’s 2010 boss, Danny Jordaan on 3 February 2009.

The stadium is on track to be the first opened before the 2010 event. Jordaan viewed the 21 erected girders already up with 15 to go. The grass pitch and 40 000 of its
48 000 stadium seats have also been installed.

“I am very delighted with the progress made. It is exciting to see the stadium taking shape. It will be a magnificent stadium – one of the best in the world. I am really looking forward to the opening. It will be the first stadium for the World Cup tournament to be opened,” he said.

The target for completion is set for May, with the final touches for the floodlights, area lighting, external roads and fencing to be completed in that month.

In his hometown of Port Elizabeth, Jordaan commended the metro and provincial government for a first-rate job being carried out on the stadium, according to him everything went smoothly after facing a few challenges.

“The city and the province need to be congratulated on a job well done. The Eastern Cape is the heart of the sport in the country and we need to regain that berth with such a top-class facility.”

Nelson Mandela Bay stadium will host eight matches, including a quarter-final and the third and fourth place play-off, Jordaan assured onlookers.

Port Elizabeth’s Deputy Executive Mayor, Councillor Bicks Ndoni said that the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is, as always, extremely proud to be part of this fantastic event.

“For the 2010 FIFA World Cup to be a success it requires a collaborative effort on the part of all three spheres of government, SAFA, the OC and of course our stakeholders and the community. We believe we are all well on track,” said Councillor Ndoni.

Jordaan expressed surprise at the fact that FIFA declared the stadium not ready for hosting the Confederations Cup in March, “the Confederations Cup in March could very well have been held here. More than half the girders are up and the pillars weigh a massive 50-70 tons.”