On Johannesburg mini-buses, confusion reins at Confed

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2009

PRETORIA (AFP) — The mini-bus throws into reverse on a busy road in the South African capital Pretoria, after 30 minutes of driving in circles around the city.

"I don't know where to drop you off," admits Tehobo, driver of a vehicle hired to give fans free rides to Confederations Cup matches in Gauteng province, which includes Pretoria and Johannesburg.

Sitting next to the driver, a South African fan named Tom activates the GPS service on his cell phone. Behind him, Leslie unfolds a map of the area around Pretoria's stadium, which was given to passengers before leaving Johannesburg.

In the last row, a young South African fan tries to keep spirits up by blowing on his vuvuzela, a long plastic trumpet ubiquitous at local matches.

At an intersection with several...