The 2010 Local Organizing Committee (LOC) has announced that "a lush, green world-class pitch" has finally been laid at the new Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

Having twice needed to dig up inadequate pitches at the stadium in the last year, it was a case of third time lucky as the new pitch laid a week ago - using only rye grass - germinated well, to the relief and delight of the city?s World Cup organisers.

"We laid the new pitch last Friday, using rye grass completely, and by Wednesday it was germinating well. We've had our challenges, but we're delighted that we now have a great pitch, which come the tournament will be amongst the best in the world," said the Mbombela Municipality?s 2010 coordinator Differ Mogale.

He added that the municipality and stadium authorities were very appreciative of the efforts of FIFA pitch consultant Richard Hayden, who personally oversaw the most recent efforts to iron out the stadium's pitch problems.

"In the past we relied on pitch consultants, but rather than simply making recommendations Richard Hayden and his team have been personally on-site with us every day over the last few weeks, getting onto tractors and showing our team just what needed to be done," explained Mogale.

"We're very happy with the results, with the province's Premier (David Mabuza) even popping into the stadium this week to see the progress for himself. We'll now give the pitch a few weeks to strengthen and while it should be fine to play on in the next six weeks, we will wait until after the first week of May to stage our first high-level test event at the stadium," continued Mogale.

Meanwhile, LOC Chief Executive Officer of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee South Africa, Dr Danny Jordaan, said he was very happy that the Mbombela Municipality had been able to solve its pitch problems.

"I am extremely happy with the effort made by everyone in Mbombela to overcome the pitch challenges and to ensure the stadium is ready for the FIFA World Cup. Credit must go to the Mbombela Municipality and its mayor Lassy Chiwayo," said Jordaan.

"With its orange giraffe columns and black and white zebra seats, the Mbombela Stadium is one of the most distinctive and unique stadiums in FIFA World Cup history.

"We're confident the stadium will now be ready in good time and that World Cup fans will be able to experience World Cup football in one of our country's most picturesque and famous provinces," concluded Jordaan.

The Mbombela Stadium will host matches between Honduras and Chile, Australia against Serbia, Korea DPR versus the Ivory Coast and Italy against New Zealand during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.