Peter Mokaba Stadium

The Peter Mokaba Stadium is a football and rugby union stadium in Polokwane (formerly Pietersburg), South Africa, that was used for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It has a capacity of 45,500 but for the purposes of the 2010 FIFA World Cup the seating capacity was reduced to 41,733.[2] It is named after Peter Mokaba, a former leader of the ANC Youth League. It is located 3 kilometers from the city center and is located just east of the older Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Peter Mokaba Stadium
Full namePeter Mokaba Stadium
LocationMagazyn St., Polokwane, South Africa
Coordinates23°55′29″S 29°28′08″E
OwnerCity of Polokwane
Capacity45,500
SurfaceRye Grass with Desso GrassMaster
Construction
Opened2010
Construction costRand1.245 billion
(US$150 million)
ArchitectAFL Architects[1]
Tenants
Limpopo Blue Bulls
Polokwane City FC
Baroka FC

The stadium is one of five new stadiums that were built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Initial plans to upgrade the existing Old Peter Mokaba Stadium were abandoned in favour of the R1,245,000,000 (ZAR) new Peter Mokaba stadium.

The stadium was used intensely for training and matches. Therefore, the natural grass has been reinforced with artificial fibers, which anchors the field into a stable and a level grass surface of Desso GrassMaster.

2010 FIFA World Cup

The stadium hosted four Group matches during the tournament of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Date Time (SAST) Team #1 Result Team #2 Round Attendance
13 June 201013:30 Algeria0–1 SloveniaGroup C30,325[3]
17 June 201020:30 France0–2 MexicoGroup A35,370
22 June 201020:30 Greece0–2 ArgentinaGroup B38,891
24 June 201016:00 Paraguay0–0 New ZealandGroup F34,850

Soccer

The first event at the stadium was the Peter Mokaba Cup, held on 23 January 2010. It was a 4 team, friendly tournament, which served as the stadium's opening event. In the first semi-final, SuperSport United beat Danish side Brøndby 2–1. In the second semi-final, Kaizer Chiefs advanced after beating Wits 4–3 on penalties, after a goalless draw. Kaizer Chiefs defeated Supersport United 4–2 in the final.[4]

The first international game played at the stadium was the international friendly between South Africa and Guatemala on 31 May 2010, which South Africa won 5–0.[5]

The stadium hosted its first competitive football match on 20 November 2010.[6] Kaizer Chiefs opted to host their 2010–11 Telkom Knockout semi-final against Santos at the stadium. The match ended 1–0 to Kaizer Chiefs.

Rugby

The stadium hosted its first rugby union match on 30 January 2010. The match was a Super 14 warm up match, played for the Xerox Cup. It was contested by the Bulls and Lions.[7]

References
  1. "Peter Mokaba Stadium".
  2. www.fifa.com
  3. Dawkes, Phil (13 June 2010). "Algeria 0–1 Slovenia". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
  4. "Chiefs win Peter Mokaba Cup". News24. 27 January 2010. Retrieved 18 December 2010.
  5. "World Cup 2010: Aaron Mokoena poised to win 100th cap". BBC Sport. 31 May 2010. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
  6. "Chiefs to play in Polokwane". News24. 10 November 2010. Retrieved 18 December 2010.
  7. "Bulls v Lions to open stadium". News24. 7 January 2010. Retrieved 18 December 2010.
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