28 June 2010, 12:00 p.m.

Andrea Bocelli to perform in South Africa for the first time at end of 2010 World Cup

Big concerts and Harvey Goldsmith announced this morning that Italian tenor, Andrea Bocelli, will be performing live at a concert marking the end of the FIFA World Cup.

The concert, titled “Celebrate Africa -The Grand Finale” is scheduled to take place on July 9 at the Coca-Cola Dome in Northgate, Johannesburg.

This will be Bocelli's first performance in South Africa. According to the statement issued by the organizers there “was a tradition of tenors performing at Fifa concerts, which had previously featured Plácido Domingo, José Carreras and Luciano Pavarotti -- famously known as The Three Tenors.”

One of the highlights of the concert is expected to be a duet with Bocelli and South Africa soprano Pretty Yende. He will also perform with South African singer Nianell.

Meanwhile FIFA has said that South Africa is halfway through “organizing a ‘perfect’ World Cup and one of the best the world has seen.”

Referring to the infamous “Plan B” rumours that abounded before the tournament FIFA general secretary, Jerome Valcke, said on Saturday that South Africa could now be seen as "plan B" for future organisers.

"I mean we have gone beyond our targets on everything, the number of visitors to South Africa has passed our expectations and the number of tickets is higher than what we sold in Germany so maybe South Africa will become plan B for the future," Valcke told reporters at a press conference.

He said organizers were now working hard to ensure that things go smoothly for the closing ceremony as they did on 11 June when millions of people across the world watched the spectacular opening ceremony from Soccer City.

Several heads of state are expected to attend the closing ceremony.

Valcke said several Heads of State and Government, especially those whose teams will be playing in the final, were expected to attend the closing ceremony on 11 July.