GERMAN soccer legend Franz Beckenbauer hinted on Tuesday that South Africa was still leading the race to stage the 2006 World Cup finals despite mounting opposition from England and Germany. “The next logical step, after Asia, is for the World Cup to go to Africa,” said Beckenbauer. “The question is, is Africa ready?” Beckenbauer, president of Germany’s campaign team, is in Cannes at the Football Expo world trade fair to promote his country’s 2006 bid. The Germans, English and South Africans have all taken prominent space at the conference in order to seek early support ahead of the crucial vote in 14 months’ time.