Construction work on the 2010 soccer stadium in Mthatha could be in jeopardy as R70 million is needed before the end of this month to ensure its completion.

This emerged at a meeting with stakeholders in Mthatha on Monday, chaired by Eastern Cape Department of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture MEC Noxolo Abraham-Ntantiso.

In the current financial year the project needs R170m, while the provincial government has set aside only R100m.

The construction of the stadium, including the construction of an athletics truck around the pitch, will cost the provincial government R604m.

The support infrastructure, which includes the upgrading of Mthatha Airport, the rehabilitation and upgrading of roads and streets and the Holiday Inn Garden Court, is expected to cost R1 billion. This will bring the budget for the stadium to R1.6bn.

Currently, R70m is needed to ensure that Mthatha’s dream to be a "base camp" for the 2010 World Cup comes true.