Cape Town - Anticipation hangs in the air in Cape Town. After missing out on hosting Confederations Cup matches in June, and having been overlooked to host the draw for the qualifying campaign, South Africa's most famous city can finally look forward to some World Cup activity.
On Friday, the who's who of international football, accompanied by a host of A List VIPs will gather at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), to witness the draw for next year's finals.
Visitors to the Cape Town international airport are greeted by FIFA banners announcing the draw. Throughout the city there are tell-tale signs that something special is about to take place.
"It's like a child that has been waiting for Christmas and finally it is the night before," said local resident Vincent Goliath.
"I am sure that the city and the organizing committee will put on a fantastic show and make all of us extremely proud," he said, adding with a smile that he hoped football's controlling body FIFA would do their bit by ensuring a favourable draw for the home team.
"Bafana Bafana are not playing as well as they should, but all of us want them to go to the next round. I hope the draw will give us an easy group."
Like millions of other Cape Townians, Goliath will not be able to gain entry to the CTICC, where strict security will ensure that football officials, dignitaries and the rich and famous are amongst themselves.
To ensure that local residents are not left out in the cold, however, the city has organized a festival in one of the landmark streets - Long Street.
The city's website says that the festival is being organized: "To give Capetonians a taste of how the fan parks will function."
Featuring some top South African artists like Freshlyground and Jimmy Dludlu, the festival is due to start at noon and go well into the night.
To ensure that revellers do not miss out on the footballing activities, a giant screen will show the draw live.
For those in the CTICC, organizers have promised an African show, that will set the scene for a world-class World Cup, with the city's Executive Mayor Dan Plato promising a spectacular event.
"This is a major event for our city and will be watched live in some 200 countries," he said.
Amongst the performers appearing at the 90 minute live show are the Grammy award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir, Beninoise singer- songwriter Angelique Kidjo and Johnny Clegg.
South African-born Oscar winning actress Charleze Theron will be one of the dignitaries officiating at the draw, while Nobel Peace laureates Desmond Tutu and FW De Klerk will be amongst the audience, as will English football star David Beckham.
Cape Town officials see the draw ceremony as the start of the city's festive season and are hoping that it will enable the city to also show off its beauty and its people.
The annual lighting of the Christmas lights on Mondy provided fans with a first taste of football, as a `Soccer Zone formed a part of the proceedings.
There fans could meet players from local clubs Santos and Ajax, as well as Bafana players Matthew Booth and Lance Davids. Other entertainment included a diski dance competition, five-a-side soccer games and `foosball play offs.
On Wednesday, FIFA President Joseph Blatter was hosted by the Premier of the Western Cape Helen Zille and Plato.
Ever-the gentleman, Blatter paid to tribute to Zille, who was formerly Cape Town mayor.
"Now she's premier and she's still this wonderful lady that reflects exactly the beauty of this city, the youth and the elegance. Voila," Blatter said.
"Helen, you deserve this compliment definitely."
With such an enthusiastic beginning, the stage is now set for Friday's ceremony, which will - it is hoped - set the scene for next year's finals.
