ERSKINE McCULLOUGH, Zurich | Tuesday 11.00am.
SOUTH Africa kicked off the official race to host the 2006 World Cup hin Zurich on Monday with an impassioned plea to Fifa president Sepp Blatter to make history by bringing the world’s biggest sporting event to the African continent.
“This is Africa’s time,” urged Danny Jordaan, head of the South African bid.
“Our bid is not just for South Africa, but for all of Africa,” said Jordaan, a former South African MP and a leader of the African National Congress (ANC) during the days of apartheid.
He stressed the role Fifa had played in helping bring down apartheid and urged football’s governing body to give football in Africa the jewel in the crown – the World Cup.
“The World Cup in South Africa will be a safe no risk option for Fifa,” he added.
South Africa starts the race for 2006 as favourites over England, Germany, Brazil and Morocco.
Blatter has made no seceret of his desire to bring the World Cup to Africa.
But Morocco are also claiming to represent Africa.
Presenting their third attempt to win the World Cup, bid president Driss Benhima told Blatter on Monday: “We represent Africa first, and the Arab nations second.”
However South African officials are convinced that the African Football Confederation (CAF) will manage to convince Morocco to withdraw before next July’s vote on 2006 by Fifa’s 24-man executive committee.
Sports Minister Ngoonde Balfour was brimming with confidence after his country’s presentation.
“If the vote was held tomorrow we would win. I have no doubt. And if for some reason 2002 could not be held in South Korea and Japan we could step in and hold it without any problem. That is how advanced we are,” said Balfour.
Most observers are convinced it will be a three-horse race between South Africa, Germany and England.
But England and Germany have tried to attack South Africa’s bid by highlighting the growing crime-rate in South Africa and the economic problems facing the country.
South African Football Association (Safa) president Raymond Hack hit back at the claims on Monday.
“Such negative campaigning only shows how scared both countries are of our bid. We will meet every safety criteria laid down by Fifa. No one need fear coming to South Africa to see the World Cup,” said Hack. — AFP