Rainy day keeps fans away

The fan park at Joubert Park in Johannesburg was deserted yesterday. Picture: Lucky Nxumalo/City Press

Soccer fans stayed away from public viewing areas set up for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) following heavy rain around Johannesburg yesterday.

The Diepkloof Extreme Park was empty while Joubert Park in downtown Johannesburg only saw a few cops and a handful of soccer fans.

Heavy rain poured down in Gauteng yesterday as the year’s biggest tournament was about to get under way.

Johannesburg has seven other fan parks, in Diepsloot, Orlando West, Ivory Park, Rockville in Soweto, Orange Farm, Eldorado Park and Lenasia.

Sedibeng, Tshwane and Merafong are the other areas with fan parks in Gauteng.

The SABC has broadcasting rights for the fan parks although they are branded with the blue logo of its competitor, DStv.

During the 2010 World Cup, the SABC did not approve fan parks within a 5km radius of liquor stores or taverns, informal settlements, dump sites or chemically polluted areas.

The City of Johannesburg was expecting thousands of supporters at the fan parks around the city while Afcon organisers expect 40 000 foreign visitors during the tournament.

The fan parks will show all 32 Afcon matches on high definition big-screen televisions.

Police have also promised to step up the fight against crime, including prostitution, during the tournament and warned those hoping to make a flourishing business from prostitution.

Only licensed liquor traders will be allowed to sell booze at the fan parks.

Fan parks are set up for supporters who cannot afford to attend the matches.