FIFA: South Africa Must Reach 2010 Quarter-Finals
World Soccer governing Body FIFA have stated that hosts of the next edition of the World Cup, South Africa, must at least reach the quarter-final stage of the tournament in order to sustain local interest over the course of the championship...
Expressing this view was the Secretary General of the federation, Jerome Valcke, who also added that the Bafana Bafana should also get as far as the semi-final stage of the 2009 Confederations Cup.
"What we know (at FIFA) is that if Bafana Bafana are not playing well, then it is not good for the tournament," marketing expert Valcke said yesterday.
"The host nation of major events such as the Confederations Cup and the World Cup has to stay in the tournaments for as long as possible.
"That would help keep the interest going in the host country. So the quarterfinals should be (South Africa's) objective for the World Cup and the semifinals for the Confederations Cup."
Coaching Concerns
Valcke also expressed some remorse that former coach of the Bafana Bafana, Carlos Alberto Parreira, was unable to complete the full length of his contract with the South African team.
"I think it is a sad story. But there was nothing that we could do about it," Valcke said.
Perreira decided to call it quits last month, citing his wife's ill-health as the major reason for his departure. The former Brazilian international's exit has no doubt put the South African preparations in no small measure of jeopardy.
The South African team then announced Perreira's compatriot, Joel Santana, as his replacement.
Bureaucracy
Valcke further disclosed that President of the African National Congress, Jacob Zuma, has assured FIFA that, should he become the next president of the country when elections take place next year, he would not victimize politicians who are currently part of the 2010 World Cup Board of Directors.
"We got a commitment from Jacob Zuma that whatever happens next year it will have no bearing on the composition of the board. Zuma said he would keep continuity in the 2010 organising committee and ensure that the current people are retained. It would be against SA and the World Cup's interests if new people came on board one year before the event," he said.
He further stated that the World Cup was surely going to be staged in South Africa despite several rumors from several foreign tabloids, notably those from England.
"I really have no idea why they (the English media) are doing this. But if, for an example, we concerned ourselves about what was written about Fifa, the president Sepp Blatter or even myself, we might as well stop working. So whatever they are writing about SA, we are all still here doing our jobs," he said.
"All the stadiums will be ready and I am not afraid to say that. I am sure that it will be a great World Cup."
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