There was more to AFCON than just soccer :: Mmegi Online

Staff Writer MQONDISI DUBE goes on a whirlwind tour of South Africa's cities of Johannesburg and Durban and the mainly rural province of the North West, courtesy of South Africa Tourism. The seven-day trip reveals the flip side of a nation in the grip of a football frenzy

Day One<br>Six local journalists depart Sir Seretse Khama on a sunny Saturday, on the eve of the Africa Cup of Nations final. Upon touchdown after an extremely bumpy ride aboard Air Botswana, the next destination is the Soccer City (now with the dreary name of the National Stadium) for accreditation. The stage is set for a David vs Goliath final pitting the not-so-intimidating Super Eagles of Nigeria and rising Burkina Faso.

The imposing Soccer City is calm before the 'Sunday storm' and the accreditation process will drag on longer than expected. Hunger has set in and upon completion, which is late afternoon, the Radisson Blu Hotel in Sandton is the next destination. Officials assisting with accreditation remark that the hotel is "out of this world" and that proves to be true.

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