AFCON 2013 – Keep your eye on the ball with Woodford

The African Cup of Nations 2013 is in full swing after the first two rounds of matches, so in the spirit of South Africa’s hosting of the continent’s main footballing showpiece, Woodford Car Hire has put together a helpful guide for finding your way to each of the venues during the tournament

Durban

South Africa’s playground, Durban plays host to Bafana Bafana’s final group game against Morocco, as well as a quarterfinal and semifinal. Woodford Car Hire’s commercial fleet is also based in Durban, and with affordable rates during the tournament, you’ll be able to hire a car at the airport and enjoy the breathless ocean scenery as you drive to the equally breathtaking Moses Mabhida Stadium near the city centre. If you’ve got time to spare, be sure to visit the beaches on Durban’s Golden Mile, but if you prefer to keep your toes away from the sand and on the accelerator, then a drive into KwaZulu-Natal’s picturesque midlands might just be the ticket… to go along with the one you’ll need for the match, of course.

Sunday 27 January 2013

(Fixture 17) Morocco v South Africa, Moses Mabhida Stadium, 19:00

Monday 28 January 2013

(Fixture 20) DR Congo v Mali, Moses Mabhida Stadium, 19:00

Saturday 02 February 2013

(Fixture 25 – Quarterfinal) Winner Group A v Runner-up Group B, Moses Mabhida Stadium, 20:30

Wednesday 06 February 2013

(Fixture 29 – Semifinal) Winner Fixture 25 v Winner Fixture 28, Moses Mabhida Stadium, 17:00

Port Elizabeth

Locals have long called it “the friendly city” and as tourists found during the 2010 World Cup, there was plenty of truth in the description. Port Elizabeth’s Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will witness the deciding group game between the Black Stars, Ghana and Niger, along with a quarterfinal and the third/fourth-place playoff. Some distance from the other Afcon 2013 venues, spending some time in the area before heading off to other games will prove worthwhile.  Visit Woodford Car Hire at Port Elizabeth Airport and take a relaxed drive to Jeffreys Bay or inland to the many nature and wildlife reserves the Eastern Cape boasts. Or you could simply explore “the friendly city” and find out if the tag does really fit.

Sunday 27 January 2013

(Fixture 18) Cape Verde Islands v Angola, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, 19:00

Monday 28 January 2013

(Fixture 19) Niger v Ghana, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, 19:00

Saturday 02 February 2013

(Fixture 26 – Quarterfinal) Winner Group B v Runner-up Group A, Nelson Mandela Bay, 17:00

Saturday 09 February 2013

(Fixture 31 – Third/Fourth Playoff) Loser Fixture 29 v Loser Fixture 30, Nelson Mandela Bay, 20:00

Johannesburg

The National Stadium will host just one more game in the tournament, but boy is it a big one. The final will be played at the National Stadium in Soweto, where the next champions of Africa will be crowned. Woodford Car Hire’s car rental staff at OR Tambo International will help you find your way to the stadium and offer some sage advice about the type of deal you might want to consider if you’re traveling to other venues before taking in the final.

Sunday 10 February 2013

(Fixture 32 – Final) Winner Fixture 29 v Winner Fixture 30, National Stadium, 20:00

Rustenburg

The Royal Bafokeng Stadium is where tournament favourites, the Ivory Coast will take on Algeria in the final Group D game, and where the Ivorians might well return for a quarterfinal. Situated in the heart of platinum-land, Rustenburg is 121 kilometres from Johannesburg (711 kms from Durban, 1105 kms from Port Elizabeth), so it might suit you to hire a car from Woodford at one of the major airport and take a trip towards Rustenburg in the North West province, enjoying the Magaliesberg mountain range as a gorgeous backdrop during the drive.

Tuesday 29 January 2013

(Fixture 22) Ethiopia v Nigeria, Royal Bafokeng Stadium, 19:00

Wednesday 30 January 2013

(Fixture 23) Algeria v Ivory Coast, Royal Bafokeng Stadium, 19:00

Sunday 03 February 2013

(Fixture 28 – Quarterfinal) Winner Group D v Runner-up Group C, Royal Bafokeng Stadium, 17:00

Nelspruit

The Mbombela Stadium, with its unique design and close proximity to South Africa’s premier game reserves, was a hit with tourists during the last international football tournament and should be this time around as well. Nelspruit will host defending champions Zambia in their final game against surprise package Burkina Faso, as well as provide a venue for a quarterfinal and a semifinal. The signature feature of the stadium are the roof-supports that resemble giraffes, with the overall structure intended as a reflection of the nearby Kruger National Park. Nelspruit is 358 kilometres from Johannesburg –the closest major city – so it would probably prove useful to hire a car in Jo’burg and enjoy an extended trip to South Africa’s main wildlife attraction between games.

Tuesday 29 January 2013

(Fixture 21) Burkina Faso v Zambia, Mbombela Stadium, 19:00

Wednesday 30 January 2013

(Fixture 24) Togo v Tunisia, Mbombela Stadium, 19:00

Sunday 03 February 2013

(Fixture 27 – Quarterfinal) Winner Group C v Runner-up Group D, Mbombela Stadium, 20:30

Wednesday 06 February 2013

(Fixture 30 – Semifinal) Winner Fixture 27 v Winner Fixture 26, Mbombela Stadium, 20:30

The Woodford Group wishes Bafana Bafana the best of luck during the African Cup of Nations 2013!