By Nobantu Kumalo
Durban has only hours to prepare for carnival fever and the chance to make the city the beach soccer capital of the world.
The three-day Vodacom Pro Beach Soccer Tournament along Durban's Golden Mile on North Beach, starts on Thursday.
Organisers said all necessary preparations were on a par for the soccer showdown.
This is the second international beach soccer tournament the city will host. It follows the successful Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup qualifiers held in September, which drew large numbers to the beach.
Once again, the tournament will help boost Durban's chances of hosting the Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup finals which are to be held in 2009.
When the Daily News visited the stadium, construction work seemed well under way. The stadium can seat 2 500 fans.
The new stadium can accommodate 500 more people than the previously built stadium on Durban's South Beach.
Neil Golding, of the promoting company G3 Lifestyle Management Network, said: "The planning for this tournament has been easier. The experience gained has helped run preparations smoother."
Golding said crowds could look forward to some awesome entertainment off and on the soccer field.
5fm DJs, DJ Fresh and Roger Goode are few of those masters of the turntable who will be expected to entertainment during half-times and at the soccer after-parties.
This week during practice, the South African team, which is a fusion of youth and experienced soccer players, looked determined to entertain the fans.
Marcelo Mendes, the South African coach, said his team felt confident and urged locals to come and support the team. He also promised there would be many home goals.
Fans who were turned away during the last beach soccer tournament need not worry.
There will be a big screen outside the stadium with live match broadcasts. The event will also be broadcast live to almost 80 countries around the world.
The participating teams are Brazil, England, France and South Africa.
The tournament coincides with the Yebo Feva Jam festivities at Suncoast Casino.
It will be soccer during the day and the evening entertainment will be on the lawns of the casino.
As was the case with the qualifiers, entrance is free and the match kick-offs are at 3pm.