500 days To Cup Glory

Today the South African World Cup Local Organising Committee reached a landmark with 500 days to go before South Africa will become the first African country to host the biggest soccer event on the planet – the 2010 World Cup finals.

There were scenes of joy and celebration all over the country when Fifa president Sepp Blatter read out South Africa’s name in Zurich, Switzerland, in 2004 as the 2010 World Cup hosts.

The CEO of the LOC, Danny Jordaan, pulled no punches in an interview to mark the 500 days to go, outlining the progress and warning both fans and Bafana Bafana of what lies ahead.

Jordaan said he and his team had four priorities:

Delivering a successful Confederations Cup in June;

Making sure the draw for the 2010 World Cup in Cape Town goes off without a hitch in December;

Completion of stadiums for the World Cup;

Tickets sales.

Jordaan also stressed that the Confederations Cup, which kicks off on June 14 when Bafana host Iraq in the opening match which will also be a dress rehearsal for the 2010 extravaganza, is make or break for Bafana Bafana.

Said Jordaan: “The Confederations Cup is vital. We really need to put up a good show and build for the World Cup finals.”

Jordaan accepts Bafana are the underdogs in the Confederations Cup, but they have a point to prove as they are currently ranked higher by Fifa than two other Group A opponents in Iraq (85th) and New Zealand (82nd). Spain, the other team in the group, are ranked number one. Bafana are rated 74th.

Apart from Bafana, the other six teams involved are all continental champions.

In Group B are Italy who are fourth, Brazil fifth, the United States in 22nd place and Egypt who are 15th in the world rankings. The top two teams in each group qualify for the semifinals.

If Bafana cannot get past Iraq and New Zealand on home soil, then serious alarm bells will be ringing in coach Joel Santana’s ears. – Sapa.