SOCCER fever hit Port Elizabeth yesterday as Japan’s national team and Bafana Bafana jetted into the city ahead of their international friendly clash at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium this Saturday.

The Japanese – who had flown into the country early this morning – were the first team to arrive, at noon, followed by Bafana in the early evening.

A big crowd welcomed both teams, with the biggest cheers on the arrival of the Bafana Bafana squad. It includes Benni McCarthy, who has made a welcome return to the national team.

Other crowd favourites were midfield aces Teko Modise and Siphiwe Tshabalala and Port Elizabeth-born trio Elrio van Heerden, Daine Klate and Kermit Erasmus.

The fans were also excited to see Bafana coach Carlos Parreira, who will be heading his first match after returning to the hot seat.

Blue Samurais coach Takeshi Okada wasted no time in getting his troops acclimatised with local conditions as the team got together for a training session yesterday afternoon.

The Asians, ranked 40th in Fifa world rankings, will be a difficult team to beat as Okada has brought in his strongest side, including six foreign-based players.

They include veteran Shunsuke Nakamura, Mokoto Hasebe, Daisuke Matsui, Junichi Inamoto, Keisuke Honda and Takayuki Morimoto – all of whom play in Europe.

SA Football Association (Safa) Mandela Bay spokesman Boya Chetty, who was at the airport to welcome both the Blue Samurais and Bafana, was excited at having them in the city.

“It is great to have the two teams here,” he said. “This is the first time that any international sides will be playing at the (North End) stadium that will be hosting World Cup matches next year.

“This is also an opportunity for those people who have not seen the stadium yet to come in their numbers and see an exciting game.”

The two teams will be hard at work until Friday, preparing themselves for the match at 3.30pm on Saturday which is likely to attract a capacity crowd to the 48000-seat venue.

Despite concerns over drought and water restrictions that could affect the preparation of the pitch, the stadium management is happy with its condition.

It has been well looked after over the last three months since the Soweto Derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.

Tickets for the match are available at Computicket outlets, Shoprite and Checkers stores and cost R30.