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Eleven trains will be set aside to transport soccer fans to the opening matches of the African Nations Champions (Chan) in Cape Town, Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) said on Monday.
“With the start of the… Chan 2014 South Africa set to kick off at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, January 11, Prasa, through its operator Metrorail, is ready to take fans to the games,” the rail operator said in a statement.
Saturday sees the group A fixtures of South Africa versus Mozambique and Nigeria versus Mali, with Prasa expecting a large number of fans to use trains.
Each of the 11 trains set aside for Saturday had a capacity of around 1,200 people, and would deliver fans in time for the 6pm kick-off.
“As a gesture of support to the fans, Prasa head office through Metrorail will offer a free return train ride to all valid match-day ticket holders only,” Prasa said.
“Ticket holders are then urged to hold onto their ticket for the return leg of the trip or face a R40 fare.”
Both security and operational plans would continue as normal to ensure that both daily travellers and soccer fans travelled safely and securely.
Prasa CEO Mosenngwa Mofi said: “Our main aim is to demonstrate, through our Metrorail operations, the importance of rail as the backbone for public transport through its ability to carry much larger numbers of commuters.
“In addition, we want to demonstrate that rail is not only a week-day mode of transportation but a vital part of our leisure travel.”
This was why Prasa was working hard to improve its service through various technical and station improvement programmes.
Prasa, apart from providing extra trains, would also provide bus transport through its Autopax bus subsidiary for games where Metrorail trains would not be running.
l Morocco head coach Hassan Benabicha says his side are aiming for a semifinal berth in the CAF African Nations Championships set to kick-off on Saturday evening in Cape Town.
The Atlas Lions, who eliminated defending Champions Tunisia to qualify for the tournament, are already in the Mother City preparing for their opening fixture against Zimbabwe on Sunday at Athlone Stadium. Eight players from Raja Casablanca have been selected in Benabicha’s 23-man squad and he has hit sights set on the final four.
“All the players are fit and ready,” he said.
“I am trying to make the players understand that they represent the national team and there is no difference between the local team and country.
“Our goal is to reach the semifinals [of the African Nations Championships] and why not even the final? We have high quality players and we are ready for the competition.”
Morocco are also drawn up against Burkina Faso and Uganda in Group B.
l DR Congo coach Santos Mutubile says his team has not been distracted by its recent logistical woes at their Chan training camp in Polokwane.
Last Friday, the 2009 CHAN champions were reportedly evicted from their team hotel over non-payment of bills after exhausting their $60,000 fund, which the country’s FA borrowed from a consortium of local traders.
However, the DR Congo government came to the teams’ rescue over the weekend reportedly releasing $300,000 for the side to use.
“For me, money comes later. This is a medium to help these young people to be well prepared but I know they are mature enough to overcome this,” Mutubile said.
DR Congo were the first team to arrive in South Africa ahead of the January 11 Chan kickoff after arriving in Johannesburg on December 29.
They are in Group D alongside Gabon, Mauritania and Burundi.
l Denis Guma remains optimistic of Cranes chances of progressing from the group at the Africa Nations Champions (Chan).
The Sports Club Victoria University (SCVU) utility player will captain the Uganda Cranes to Chan in South Africa.
“With me I believe the squad is good enough to compete and even go up to quarter or semi finals if we believe in ourselves,” said Guma after the team’s training at Namboole on Monday.
“Football is dynamic and once we work together as a team we shall win games and surprise many.
“I know many players are looking at individual performance to get new elite clubs out there but I have told them to prioritize the country first. Our group is a bit tricky but we can go past it.”
Uganda are pooled in Group B with Morocco, Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso, with the Cranes opening game on Sunday against the latter.- Sapa
Online Reporter