FNB pitch ready for action

Johannesburg - The playing surface at the FNB Stadium recovered in time for the Nelson Mandela Challenge clash between Bafana Bafana and Africa Cup of Nations champions Zambia on Wednesday evening.

Fears that the field would not be ready, after American band Linkin Park performed on the field at the weekend, were dispelled, with ground staff recovering a corner of the pitch that had been damaged by heavy rainfall during Saturday's concert.

A small group of supporters filled the stadium ahead of the 20:00 kick off of the 18th edition of the Challenge - a repeat of the inaugural fixture in 1994, when South Africa edged Chipolopolo 2-1 at the then Ellis Park.