The future of South African soccer will be on show in Cape Town this Saturday.
The national under-20 team - the future Bafana Bafana - will be in action against their Zambian counterparts at the revamped Athlone Stadium, a venue for the new millennium.
The occasion provides a glimpse into the future of our country's playing strength and the new stadium's seating capacity.
The match may not have the glamour of a senior international, but it brings the promise of one.
Safa Western Province president Vernon Seymour said the opening of the stadium has been planned in three phases.
First is to host the men's and women's amateur Coca-Cola Challenge finals as well as the under-17 inter-district final. These matches will be played on Saturday afternoon while the under-20s meet Zambia in the evening.
The second phase of the opening would feature the professional teams.
"We are looking to have Santos and Hellenic on a double bill to provide a bumper programme.
"Then the third phase will feature Bafana Bafana against Jamaica during February next year. This will be the first match in the launch of Safa's bid to host the World Cup in 2010," said Seymour.
On Saturday, though, South Africa's under-20s have a huge task if they intend to qualify for the African Youth Cup in Burkina Faso.
After losing 4-1 in Lusaka last month, they must beat Zambia by three goals at Athlone at the weekend.
Two Ajax Cape Town players in the squad, Ashley Opperman and Orlin Powell, believe they can turn things around.
Opperman was in the side beaten by Zambia, while Powell makes his international debut.
"The heat killed us off in the first leg. We did well in the first half as we held them to a 1-0 score line at the interval. But in the second half the temperature shot up and we couldn't handle it.
"This time round, we will have cooler conditions and I hope to have a big crowd behind us. The players have one thought - to score the three goals we need to win a place in the finals of the Caf Youth championships in Burkina Faso next January," said Opperman.
Powell who plays with Opperman in the Ajax senior team is excited about his call-up.
"I am hungry to help the team and if the spirit in the squad is anything to go by then we are well prepared for our task," said Opperman.
The two players felt like "kings" when the squad with coach Boebie Williams visited their old school Spine Road Senior Secondary in Mitchell's Plain this week.
"The reception was great, they made us feel good, as they could identify with Ashley and myself," said Powell.
Williams, who is also the national under-17 coach, says the team has the ability to come back against Zambia.
"While we have a well balanced team, Zambia are a lot more aggressive. Yes, the heat did take its toll on us in the first leg, but this time round it will be different."
Cape Town has a good representation in the squad, with two of the players playing in Germany - Lance Davids and Marvin Abrahams (both ex-Hellenic), now playing for 1860 Munich.
Besides Opperman and Powell, Ajax will be represented by goalkeeper Oscar Ramogoadi, midfielder Lynch Pule and striker Rashied Thorne.
Hellenic have defender Vuyo Mere and midfielder Siyabonga Memela in the squad.
Another foreign-based player is Elrio van Heerden from Port Elizabeth, who plays for FC Copenhagen in Denmark.
Former Cape Town footballer Thando Mngomeni (ex-Santos) now with Supersport United is also in the strike force.
Five years ago the under-20s, under present Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba got to the final of the tournament in Morocco and qualified for the World Youth Cup in Malaysia in June 1997.
It was the start of bigger things to come for Cape Town footballers Benni McCarthy, David Kannemeyer and Matthew Booth.
SA squad:
Goalkeepers: Wayne Sandiland (Supersport), Oscar Ramogoadi (Ajax CT)
Defenders: Buti Sithole (Kaizer Chiefs), Vuyo Mere (Hellenic), Siboniso Gaxa (Supersport), Ashley Opperman (Ajax CT), Marvin Abrahams (1860 Munich)
Midfielders: Damien Cornelli (Chiefs), Siyabonga Memela (Hellenic), Lynch Pule (Ajax CT), Lindokuhle Madonsela (UPE ECK), Itumeleng Sekwale (Supersport), Lance Davids (1860 Munich)
Strikers: Orlin Powell (Ajax CT), Elrio van Heerden (FC Copenhagen), Thando Mngomeni (Supersport), Rashied Thorne (Ajax CT), Lazarus Motsoapong (Soweto Panthers)