Hyundai representative, Albrecht Grundal, congratulates Orlando Pirates coach Sphiwe Ngwenya

RELATED LINKS: Soccer fever hits Joburg THOUGH the mood in Johannesburg was not as wildly festive as in Munich where the first opening match of the 18th Soccer World Cup took place, many local soccer fanatics rushed to bars and sports bars to catch the first game of the tournament while sipping their favourite beer. Read more SA's 2010 World Cup bid SOUTH AFRICA won the bid to host the 2010 Soccer World Cup. Read more Officials observe Germany's World Cup experiences AN exhibition to be hosted in Germany after this year's Soccer World Cup will give South African host cities a prime opportunity to prepare themselves for 2010. Read more Fifa - Joburg is ready and waiting JOBURG soccer supporters are fanatic about their teams, and justifiably so, since the city has some of the best teams around - with current log leaders Wits University and the PSL cup holders Pirates both based in Johannesburg. Read more

Gauteng MEC for sports, arts, culture and recreation Barbara Creecy Orlando Pirates' Floyd Mbele.

Pirates to represent SA in Germany Notching up yet another success, Orlando Pirates were urged to act as 2010 World Cup ambassadors when they represent South Africa in a five-a-side tournament to be held in Germany. June 29, 2006 By Ndaba Dlamini SOWETO soccer giants, Orlando Pirates, will represent South Africa in the Hyundai Cup, a five-a-side tournament to be held in Germany as a build-up to the 2006 Fifa World Cup finals. The team was given a hearty send-off by Gauteng sports, arts, culture and recreation MEC Barbara Creecy at a function in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 28 June. She said the team should represent South Africa - and Africa - well in Germany. "As you all know, our only hope, Ghana, were knocked out of the World Cup yesterday. All eyes will be on you to score for Africa." Orlando Pirates, affectionately known as "Amabhakabhaka" by their fans, will play teams from all over the globe at the tournament. Thirty-two teams are expected to participate in the competition, which will run from 30 June to 4 July in Frankfurt. Creecy said the team should serve as the country's 2010 World Cup ambassadors and be the eyes of South Africa in Germany. "Make connections with your counterparts in Germany. You will be there to market both yourselves and Gauteng, the home of champions. Learn all international soccer skills and standards of football because as young people we expect that you be part of the Bafana Bafana soccer team to represent South Africa during the 2010 World Cup." The Orlando Pirates' five-a-side team is off to Germany for an international competition. Pirates's five-a-side team pipped 42 teams at a Hyundai Five-a-side soccer tournament held in Pimville in March this year to book a spot to represent the country in Germany. Orlando Pirates' chief executive Floyd Mbele commended the team. He said the occasion, and Pirates's recent successes in South African soccer, coincided with their 70th anniversary next year. The team, coached by Sphiwe Ngwenya, comprises of Sizwe Nkabinde, Keanan Thomas, Tshepo "Figo" Mokone, Thabiso Tlhodi, Tsietsi Mkwanazi, Bheki Mlambo and Mofolo Motlalepula. If they win the tournament, the team will have a chance to see their soccer idols play in the finals of the 2006 Fifa World Cup finals in Berlin. Permission to use web site material Publishers may use material from this site free of charge, as long as: Credit is given to either the "City of Johannesburg website (www.joburg.org.za)" or to "Johannesburg News Agency (www.joburg.org.za)"; If the article is used online, a link is provided to the original article on this website; The name of the article's author is acknowledged; The webmaster is informed of how and where the material is used (fill in this brief online form). Johannesburg News Agency is operated by BIG Media at 011-484-1400 Print this Page E-mail this article to a friend Help using Joburg.org.za