Epic road trip for Dutch fans in Malawi en route to SA
A group of Holland supporters have taken Fifa president Sepp Blatter's call to make the soccer World Cup a "fans' tournament" so seriously that they are travelling to South Africa by road.
The 44 Dutch fans, who left the Netherlands in 22 vehicles on April 3, are expected to arrive in Tshwane on Friday - just in time for the start of the world's biggest sporting event.
They have spent two months driving down the African continent.
Their convoy includes vans, trucks, a motorcycle and a VW Beetle.
Annemarie Sapink, a public relations officer for the Netherlands embassy in South Africa, said they would welcome the group at the embassy on Friday afternoon.
"They are currently in Malawi. They are crazy about the Oranje and crazy about football," she said.
The Orange Trophy, as the convoy is known because of the colour of the national soccer jersey, has driven through seven countries: Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania.
From Malawi, they are expected to drive to Zambia, Botswana and Lesotho before making their final stop in Pretoria.
Sapink said the embassy was also expecting about 6000 supporters to fly into South Africa from tomorrow.
Hollywood actor John Travolta is expected to land his Boeing 707 aircraft - which he pilots himself - at Lanseria Airport, north of Johannesburg, on Thursday.
Travolta will support the Australian team when they play Germany in Durban on Sunday.
According to the Australian embassy, at least 10000 of their kin will be flying into the country, having bought about 43000 tickets for the tournament.
Australian Minister for Sport Kate Ellis will be among those coming to support their national side.
US soccer lovers have bought more than 132000 tickets and the US embassy expects between 25000 and 40000 US visitors to come to South Africa for the World Cup.
The US opening match, against England in Rustenburg on June 12, will be attended by Vice-President Joe Biden.
The German national team is expected in South Africa this morning.
Thousands of its supporters have already begun arriving. According to the German embassy, "most will hit South African shores this week".
Martin Schaefer, the German embassy's spokesman, said fans would be following their team around the country: "It is something of a 'Tour de South Africa' along the beautiful coastlines of KwaZulu-Natal and the Cape."
Schaefer told The Times: "We encourage our fans to get to know South Africa between the matches and to interact as much as possible with their South African hosts."
Carlos Sersale, the ambassador of Argentina, said some Argentinian fans had already arrived and he was expecting about 15000 supporters to fly in to support Barcelona striker Lionel Messi and the team.