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Football executives and fans in World Cup 2010 host nation South Africa are becoming increasingly frustrated, irritated and embarrassed over the pessimism and scorn being poured on the country’s bid to prepare for the football tournament.
Comments this week by Franz Beckenbauer, the head of the 2006 World Cup organising committee of the previous host nation Germany on South Africa’s preparations in which he cited “African problems” as an obstacle to a successful staging of the large sporting event, have been interpreted as particularly offensive.
His views were made public along with reports that Germany would send football officials to South Africa in a bid to avert a disaster that might lead to South Africa losing the opportunity to stage the tournament on behalf of the world football governing body Fifa.
It also follows weeks of speculation around the world over a number of logistical issues, including whether stadiums around the vast southern African country can be upgraded or constructed in time for the tournament.
South African football officials and World Cup organisers in an interview with ARD German radio in Johannesburg said they would seek clarity from Beckenbauer in a letter.
The high profile football organiser, said it was the first time in a century of competitive football that an outgoing World Cup organiser raised doubts about the country due to follow as host.
They say they are keen to hear exactly what Beckenbauer meant when he reportedly said that as the next venue for the event South Africa had a “very big problem” that was not uniquely South African, but “an African problem”.
The prominent German football figure was quoted as adding that in Africa “they don’t work together, but against each other”.
An earlier widely publicised statement by Fifa president Joseph Blatter that he had seen promises but no delivery from South Africa, has also causes some degree of frustration on the local football scene.
“He’s probably correct. We do need to be reminded that we have deadlines,” FNB Stadium general manager Dennis Mumble told ARD adding however: “We have no doubt that we will deliver as we initially said.”
Mumble explained that the upgrade of World Cup 2010 flagship stadium FNB, south of Johannesburg that has been earmarked for the World Cup opening ceremony and final match, was due to begin next month, well ahead of the 2008 completion date.
South Africa, he said, was pleased to have the assistance of German World Cup experts that have been assigned by Fifa, Mumble told ARD. However, the involvement of experts such as German Football Federation (DFB) secretary-general Horst Schmidt who is expected to arrive in the country this month, had nothing to do with rescuing a failed attempt at organising the event, he noted.
According to Mumble, every successive World Cup was meant to become the best. In 2006 the German World Cup was the best ever. In 2010, the South African World Cup will be the best ever.
Benita van Eyssen
