Football key to Africa’s peace and unity: Zuma

President Jacob Zuma has emphasised that football is key in driving social change, peace and unity on African continent. He was speaking during the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations final draw at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban last night.

Zuma pulled the name of Cape Verde out of the pot as the first team to play Bafana Bafana in the opening match at FNB stadium in Johannesburg on January 19. Angola and Morocco are the other two teams in Group A.

President Zuma says South Africans is ready to host the tournament next year.

“Each match will be a demonstration that sport, particularly football, can be a catalyst for social change, peace and unity on the African continent. For this reason the AU’s long term aim is to promote football as an intergrative sport.”

Five stadia will be utilised for the soccer showpiece – FNB in Johannesburg, Moses Mabhida in Durban, Mbombela in Nelspruit, Nelson Mandela Bay in Port Elizabeth and Royal Bafokeng in Rustenburg.

CAF President Issa Hayatou said they were confident that South Africa would host a successful tournament.