South Africa and Morocco are set to transform their African Nations Cup campaigns into one last desperate battle to win the prize of hosting the 2010 World Cup finals.
Tunisia, Libya and Egypt are also involved in the race to win the right to stage the event for the first time on African soil, but it is the tried and tested experience of South Africa and the emotional pull of Morocco’s previous three failed bids that are being widely tipped to go down to the wire when world governing body Fifa makes its choice on May 15 in Zurich.
South Africa was considered to be the runaway favourites until recently but Morocco is understood to be winning backers at the same time that outsiders Tunisia, Libya and Egypt are under strong pressure to unite behind one North African bid.
Adding further spice to the rivalry is that both sides have been drawn in the Group D of the African Nations Cup, which gets under way in Tunis on Saturday and face each other in Sousse on February 4.
”It does not matter if there were 10 countries against us,” said Danny Jordaan, the chief executive of the South African bid, recently.
”For Fifa, one country had to win and this country had to be African. Our aim is simple and that is to get 13 out of the 24 votes on the Fifa executive committee.”
Some observers are predicting that just a single vote may decide the winner.
Jordaan has tried to impress upon the world governing body that South Africa has both the experience and track record to succeed.
”Fifa will name the winning country in the year that coincides with the 10th anniversary of full democracy in my country,” he said.
”I have no doubt that South Africa is the best bet for the African continent.”
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is desperately trying to cut a neutral path.
”For us at CAF, the most important thing is that the World Cup in 2010 will take place in Africa for the very first time,” said CAF spokesperson Sulaiman Habuba.
”It is therefore now left to the individual countries to convince the 24-member Fifa executive committee that they have what it takes to play host to the world.”
Morocco tried and failed to host the 1994, 1998 and 2006 World Cup. South Africa, which lost its 2006 bid by one vote to Germany, can boast successful organisation of the Rugby and Cricket World Cups in 1995 and 2003 respectively.
Meanwhile, Tunisia is determined to use the Nations Cup as a shop window for their bid.
”Approaching the 2010 dossier with a perfect organisation in 2004 will give a huge boost to our chances,” said chief tournament organiser Slim Chiboub Chiboub.
”It would add weight to the joint Tunisia-Libya bid for the 2010 World Cup. We can show that Tunisia is already capable of organising a continental competition.” — Sapa-AFP