Tournament News
'2010 is great for Africa'
2009-06-26 15:41
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Johannesburg - Legendary former German captain and manager Franz Beckenbauer said that he fully supported the 2010 World Cup to be staged in South Africa.
"I believe it is good that Africa and specifically South Africa get a chance to host the World Cup," said the Bayern Munich chairperson, speaking at an Adidas sponsorship launch in Johannesburg on Friday.
"It was logical after we beat South Africa by one vote to host the 2006 World Cup that the 2010 showpiece should be staged in South Africa."
Beckenbauer, who led Germany to the World Cup as both a player and manager, said he had been impressed by the high standard of organisation at the Confederations Cup which he said augers well for the main event -the 2010 World Cup.
"I have no doubt that the World Cup here (in South Africa) will be a success judging by the high standard of the organisation of the Confederations Cup," said Beckenbauer, who was also head of the 2006 German Local Organising Committee.
But he had even more praise for Bafana Bafana after their 1-0 loss to an 88th minute free kick in the Confederations Cup semifinals against holders Brazil at Ellis Park on Thursday night.
"Brazil scored though a late free kick. I am not so sure that it was a free kick," Beckenbauer said.
"I thought Bafana deserved to win. They really played well. South Africa really impressed me, and on that showing against such a top side as Brazil, could be a favourite in a year's time at the World Cup.
"But South Africa will have to find a finisher. I was impressed by the way that South Africa kept one of the best players in the world, Kaka, quiet throughout the 90 minutes.
"It was really a good game and overall I was very impressed by the South African performance."
Beckenbauer said he supported local fans using vuvuzelas, instruments that proved hot topic during the Confederations Cup.
"Overseas players and fans had better get used to the vuvuzelas as they are part of the South Africa tradition and as such the noise does not disturb me," he said.
Brazil meet the US in the Confederations Cup final at Coca Cola Park on Sunday night (8.30pm) while Bafana host European champions Spain in the third place playoff at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Stadium on Sunday afternoon at 3pm.