03/01/2009 17:48 - (SA)
Blood and sweat on the 2009 diary
Timothy Molobi
SOUTH Africans should brace themselves for more challenges on the 2009 soccer calendar.
If 2008 produced several hiccups for South Africa, then the new year is going to be even tougher. This is the year of delivery, and all eyes will on South Africa as we prepare to host the 2010 World Cup.
The ghost of 2008 – notably Fifa’s “Plan B” threat – has been buried and 2009 ushers in hope and reality.
South Africa’s readiness to host the world’s biggest soccer spectacle next year will be tested during the Confederations Cup in June.
Eight countries take part in this festival of champions which will be a dress rehearsal for the World Cup.
Before the event kicks off in June, however, stadiums have to be made ready and must meet Fifa’s standards for hosting big events. Royal Bafokeng, Ellis Park, Loftus and Free State stadiums have been under reconstruction and there is a race against time to get them ready.
The Confederations Cup will give South Africa a perfect platform to convince the world it will be a capable host in 2010. Anything below expectations will give detractors, who have never missed a chance to tell the world the country is not ready, more ammunition.
But it is not only the state of the infrastructure that will have to convince the world – Bafana Bafana have to come to the party as well to enhance the country’s image.
A good showing in the Confederations Cup by the national team will send a positive message that South African football is on the up.
Coach Joel Santana knows that only a top-four finish can erase the bad memories left by Bafana failing to qualify for the 2010 African Cup of Nations in Ghana.
Bafana, who have been pitted against European champions Spain, Iraq and New Zealand, will be out to make a statement to the world – that they, too, can be world beaters.
But Bafana-Bafana have never failed to disappoint.
They have failed to get past the group stages of the Nations Cup at three tournaments.
A successful tournament on and off the field will have positive spin-offs for South Africa leading up to the 2010 World Cup.
South Africa will also be hosting another high-profile event at the end of the year – the 2010 World Cup Draw, which is scheduled to take place in Cape Town.
All eyes will again focus on the country when the names of 32 nations go into a hat to determine the final draw for the event.
After successfully hosting the preliminary draw for the World Cup and the Confederations Cup draw in Durban and Johannesburg respectively, Cape Town will be set to outdo the other cities.
All in all, 2009 holds a lot in store for South African soccer.
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