South Africa’s dream of being the first African nation to host a World Cup risks being dashed by Morocco.
When the vote is taken in Zurich next month by Fifa’s executive board, South African football rulers could well see themselves facing a repeat of the nightmare of 2000 when they lost the right to host the 2006 World Cup to Germany by a single vote.
The decision stunned South Africa and when Fifa president Sepp Blatter promised that the 2010 World Cup would go to Africa, South Africa were quickly made firm favourites and expected to revenge the 2000 vote.
But over the past months Morocco officials have been pushing their case with stunning success and are believed to be close to upsetting South Africa.
Egypt, Tunisia and Libya are also vying for the 2010 World Cup but Fifa officials admit it is a two-way battle between South Africa and Morocco.
Earlier this month Blatter publicly confirmed that it was no longer a shoe-in for South Africa.
”If you are listening around the world then you can imagine that it will be possibly as close as it was in 2000 … for the decision of 2006,” said the Fifa president.
The warning will come as a wake-up call to South Africa who have become convinced that this time there will be no upsets.
”They have become very confident, claiming they will win easily,” a senior Fifa source told AFP this week.
”Morocco have been campaigning very, very hard and it seems to be paying off. South Africa should beware,” he added.
South Africa were furious after their defeat to Germany in 2000.
They alleged the result had been fixed and former Fifa executive board member Charlie Dempsey of New Zealand, who abstained allowing Germany their one vote victory, was hounded for months after the decision.
If Dempsey had voted the result would have been tied and Blatter, as president, would have had the casting vote.
Blatter fears he could be forced to use his casting vote next month, not a position he relishes.
”In the case of a tied vote the president has to cast the vote.
I hope I will not be in that position,” he said.
Morocco’s bid has been helped by the support of American lawyer Alan Rothenberg who organised the US World Cup in 1994.
According to Moroccan sources, Rothenberg is on a multi-million dollar bonus if the North African country wins football’s most glittering prize.
Rothenberg agrees the battle has come down to a two-horse race.
”South Africa is our main rival. Egypt, Tunisia and Libya are also bidding but at the end of the day, I think it’s a two-horse race,” said the American recently.
Morocco have been boosted by the support of French football legend and executive board member Michel Platini.
South Africa’s former president Nelson Mandela is expected to fly to Zurich for the May 15 vote in a bid to woo the executive board. – Sapa-AFP