I still can’t believe that the first game of the 2010 FIFA World Cup will kick-off in exactly 363 days from now. This will be the big climax to a journey that begins in Johannesburg, this coming Sunday, when the FIFA Confederations Cup starts.
From there onwards it will be Africa’s turn to be at the centre of the most important international competitions. As of next week the whole world will be watching how South Africa project-manages the FIFA Confed Cup.
The successful staging of this tournament will have far-reaching ramifications not only for South Africa but also the rest of the continent. Investors from around the world will know that there is a well structured environment in which to do business.
Perceptions about Africa being a wild land of huts and drums only will change when the world sees the bustling metropolises of Johannesburg and Cape Town. All this on top of the stunning wildlife areas not far from most cities. The Confed Cup will be the first opportunity to see global superstars such as Kaka, Robinho, Xavi, Pirlo and company, playing against each other in world-class stadiums on African soil.
Even the ignorant people from overseas will finally see that there is a very sophisticated civilization in Africa. This is why the FIFA Confederations Cup must succeed. It will succeed. Next on the menu will be the prestigious FIFA U20 World Cup in Egypt. This is otherwise referred to as the World Youth Cup.
Unlike the Confed Cup and the FIFA World Cup, this is a tournament that certain African teams are actually capable of winning, or at least getting to the finals. The likes of Ghana and Nigeria have been losing finalists in the past. After this will be the U17 World Cup in Nigeria. This is a tournament that Ghana has won before and African teams will be favourites.
Early 2010 will see Angola hosting the African Cup of Nations. The organisers of this tournament are trying to sell the TV rights for this tournament for a handsome GBP 70 million, the highest ever for this event. No doubt the perceived value of this tournament will be raised by people’s anticipation of the first world cup in Africa.
After this one all attention will be focused on the FIFA World Cup to come in South Africa. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that South Africa will be ready to host the best World Cup ever. From now until the end of the World Cup in June 2010 the soccer stage belongs to Africa. Let us shine.
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June 17, 2009 at 2:27 am
Nice article. It’s great that Africa finally gets centre stage for a tournament of this magnitude. It’s been far too long. However, South Africa has already hosted the IPL, Rugby World Cup and Cricket World Cups too. People who say that Africa is disorganised etc and try to knock the credibility of the continent (usually without knowing the first thing about Africa other than lazy stereotypes) are really just ignorant people who should be ignored. Sadly though, many of those types have the loudest voices and the biggest platforms to air their views.
Keep up the good work on Soccerwires, and feel free to visit Just-Football anytime
June 17, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Thanks for the thumbs up Jonathan. I will definitely check out Just-Football. One can never get enough of football.