It will be a major disaster if Bafana Bafana do not reach the semifinals of the Confederations Cup, which kicks off in Johannesburg in 46 days’ time.
This was expressed by 2010 Local Organising Committee (LOC) chief executive Danny Jordaan after Tuesday’s 2010 LOC monthly board meeting.
Jordaan, like millions of South Africans, is worried about how Bafana will shape up against their Group A opponents, the world top ranked side Spain, Asian champions Iraq and Oceanic kingpins
New Zealand.
Said Jordaan: ”The bottom line is that this is the only opportunity for Bafana to get competitive matches under their belts before they compete in the 2010 World Cup.”
Jordaan said that Bafana’s failure to qualify for the 2010 African Nations Cup was a massive blow.
”The African Nations Cup would have been perfect preparation for the World Cup for Bafana. But we failed and now we have to play friendly matches except for the Confederations Cup. The Confederations Cup will show us if Bafana are ready to host the best in the world.”
Jordaan pointed out that the other 31 countries that will compete alongside Bafana in the world’s greatest soccer spectacle next year have gone through a tough qualifying programme to get there.
He added: ”Every one of those 31 countries have faced a tough and difficult road to the finals while we have had little serious preparation. We have one and one only chance to show what we are capable of doing in 2010 and that is the Confederations Cup.
”It is vital we do well and reach at least the semifinals of the Confederations Cup otherwise it will be a disaster for our World Cup hopes.”
Although Jordaan is not in a position to comment on Bafana head coach Joel Santana, the Brazilian needs to pick up his socks after a string of mediocre displays in friendly matches.
Failure to do well in the Confederations Cup could mean a one-way ticket home to Brazil for Santana. The two top teams in each group qualify for the semifinals. In Group B are world champions Italy, Brazil, United States and Egypt.
Bafana open their Confederations Cup Group A programme with a match against Iraq at Ellis Park on June 14.
While Jordaan was concerned about Bafana’s readiness, the LOC boss said the stadiums, Loftus, Royal Bafokeng, Ellis Park and the Free State Stadium would be ready in time after undergoing major renovations.
Meanwhile, Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke announced that ticket sales for the Confederations Cup would be made easier for local supporters.
Fifa will open four ticketing centres in Sandton on May 1 and Rustenburg, Bloemfontein and Pretoria on May 4 where fans can buy tickets over the counter.
Said Valcke: ”It will make it easier to buy tickets as all the fan has to do is produce an ID book and purchase their tickets.”
So far 320 000 tickets out of a total of 640 000 have been sold. — Sapa