Mangaung/Bloemfontein, South Africa

The city of Bloemfontein is located in the heart of South Africa and is the capital of the Free State Province. The Mangaung municipal area was recently formed through the combination of several major towns and districts, including Bloemfontein. Mangaung translates to land of leopards, as the indigenous Basotho people call the area. It is a host city for both the 2009 Confederations Cup and the 2010 World Cup finals. It is not nearly as well known as other major metro areas in South Africa, but it has a lot to offer anyone who visits.

The games are played in the Free State Stadium, which has undergone extensive renovations to bring it up to world class standards and it now holds a total of 48,000 fans. The city hosts three games in the group stages of the Confederations Cup, with European champion Spain playing Iraq and hosts South Africa in Group A and from Group B, Brazil facing off against Egypt.

The stadium is one of the home grounds for the local team Bloemfontein Celtic, whose supporters can be seen in the familiar green and white hoops. The city is also home to the Free State Stars F.C. The stadium is also well known for its rugby union tenants, the Free State Cheetahs and the Central Cheetahs. It has hosted Rugby World Cup matches as well as African Cup Soccer games.

Mangaung/Bloemfontein is a mix of urban sophistication and country life. Bloemfontein is the judicial capital of the country and has a number of older, historic buildings and beautifully maintained gardens, which is where the nickname “city of roses” comes from There is a game reserve in the city, but there are also many businesses as well as government sectors. The city is an important destination for sports, with two major soccer clubs and two rugby union clubs. Residents are passionate about their teams and enjoy watching from the stadiums or clubs.

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