ALL SYSTEMS GO: Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit is ready. The giraffe-like features of the support pillars make a clear statement about its proximity to the wildlife haven of the Kruger National Park

Crowd-pullers Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns are billed to officially open the 2010 World Cup Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, in two months time.

The three Gauteng clubs, which boast massive fan bases around the country, may be joined by one of Mpumalanga’s top sides, which will vie for the fourth spot.

The local club will be chosen from either PSL relegation-threatened Mpumalanga Black Aces or National First Division outfits Witbank Spurs or United FC.

This will be a one-day tournament named the Premier’s Cup.

The decision as to which team will represent Mpumalanga will be made by a political panel consisting of Vusi Shongwe, the MEC for culture, sport and recreation, and executive mayor Lassy Chiwayo.

The appearance of the three super crowd-pullers will however depend on how each team makes progress in both the Telkom Knockout and the Nedbank Cup.

The panel has moved swiftly to woo teams from neighbouring Swaziland and Mozambique as possible replacements should the local giants fail to make it.

“We are leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that everything is in order, come opening day of the stadium,” Shongwe says.

“Negotiations with all the clubs are moving fast. They all said they would be willing to be part of this historic event.”

The stadium’ s pitch had caused grave concern for both LOC CEO Danny Jordaan and Fifa general secretary Jerome Valke during the Fifa inspection tour of all nine stadiums last month.

Their displeasure was such that they ordered government officials to immediately returf the pitch or face the prospect of the stadium being ruled out as a Cup venue.

But the meticulous work done by renowned turf expert Richard Hayden and his team resulted in the pitch winning Fifa’s approval.

An artificial stabiliser that will ensure that the pitch is stable during the World Cup matches will be installed next month.

Planted with rye grass, which is used by European clubs such as English giants Chelsea and Manchester United, the pitch was mowed for the first time on Wednesday.

The 43000-seater stadium will host first-round matches involving teams like Chile, Italy, Ivory Coast, Australia, Serbia, Honduras, New Zealand and South Korea.