England

England Profile

Team Facts

 

Name: England

Manager: Fabio Capello

Captain: Rio Ferdinand

Star players: Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard

Mascot Name:

Team nickname: The Three Lions

Titles held: World Cup 1966

Fifa ranking: 9

Team best known for: The way Beckham bends a ball

 

 

The England team, dubbed English football’s ‘golden generation’ will make their fifteenth appearance at the World Cup this year. Although they haven’t been very successful in the past few months, they are making great strides under the management of Fabio Capello.

 

Capello is the second non-English manager to manage the team. He joined the team in 2007 after Steve McClaren did not have much luck. Under the leadership of their new Italian manager, England has enjoyed more success having won all but one of their matches to qualify for the 2010 Fifa World cup.

 

"I think we've put the record straight, to some extent.  Since the manager arrived, there has been nothing but hard work, our confidence has come on a million miles in the way the team is playing. Today typified everything about us in this campaign. It is the first step and we've qualified now but there's still a long way to go." England midfielder Frank Lampard, following the 5-1 home win over Croatia which sealed qualification for South Africa 2010 (according to Fifa.com).

 

England bounced back following the disappointment of not qualifying for the UEFA EURO 2008. They bounced back in a forcible fashion during 2010 qualifications. The Three Lions won nine out of 10 games, scoring 34 goals. Their only defeat was suffered at the hands of the Ukraine but their qualification was already secured.

 

Nine of the goals scored during qualification were scored by the Wayne Rooney. He has really led from the front and has taken the goal scoring responsibility on his shoulders. Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, the pair in the midfield, should not be over looked as they have scored seven goals between them.

 

While in Nelson Mandela Bay, take the time to indulge in the pleasure of being in a place that combines big city living with small town values:

 

See the sun set on a veld covered with flowers and wild plants, watch wild animals run free and experience the thrill of watching a shark pass your boat; all this can be done in the malaria free area of Nelson Mandela Bay. The Addo Elephant National Park, an hour’s drive from the city centre, caters for all animal lovers. Enjoy the Big 7, consisting of elephant, rhino, Cape buffalo, lion, leopard, southern right whale and great white shark, in their natural habitat in an open vehicle or guided walk.

 

If marine life fascinates you, then diving in Nelson Mandela Bay is a must. Beautiful reefs, interesting shipwrecks from years gone by, colourful soft coral species and the warm water of Algoa Bay will keep you in the water for hours. Surfing, wind surfing, jet skiing and sailing can also be enjoyed in the Bay.

 

A delicious steak covered in a creamy mushroom sauce, chicken and prawn curry, an espetada done in a red wine sauce, sushi, or a decadent piece of double chocolate cake; will satisfy the fussiest palate. Nelson Mandela Bay has the highest capita ratio of restaurants per population in South Africa and with all that variety; everyone will definitely find something to suite their taste.

 

A vibrant array of night clubs to dance the night away, pubs where you can enjoy a beer and a game of pool, and award-winning cocktail bars that serve anything from a banana split martini to bubblegum bazooka; make Nelson Mandela Bay a popular party destination.

 

For the art lover, there are many theatre shows, museums, and art galleries in and around the Bay. Cinemas that show both the new and the old invite all for time to escape to a world that fulfills all your dreams.

 

For more information on the above activities or more activities on offer in Nelson Mandela Bay contact Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism on +27 (0) 41 582 2575 or email info@nmbt.co.za.