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'Der Kaiser' excited about 2010
07/09/2007 16:06 - (SA)
Cape Town - Legendary soccer star Franz Beckenbauer says he is "very, very impressed" with South Africa's preparations for the 2010 World Cup spectacle.
Beckenbauer, who is now a FIFA executive member, is in South Africa for the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Confederation of African Football.
He visited the construction site of Cape Town's 2010 World Cup stadium on Friday and declared himself "very very impressed" with South Africa's preparations for the event.
Along with the chairperson of the FIFA World Cup Organising Committee, Issa Hayatou, and the chief executive officer of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee, Danny Jordaan, "Der Kaiser" visited the site of the picturesque Green Point World Cup stadium on Friday.
'Fantastic what South Africans are doing'
"Cape Town is one of the most exciting and beautiful cities in the world. South Africa is a wonderful country.
"I'm very very impressed with the construction going on in Cape Town and it's fantastic what the people in South Africa are doing in preparing themselves for the World Cup in 2010."
Speaking after the site visit, Beckenbauer said he was extremely confident South Africa would be ready to host the global football showpiece in 2010.
"I am definitely convinced that the 2010 FIFA World Cup will be a success. It's the biggest opportunity for South Africa. The whole world will be watching this country in 2010. And as far as I can see they're on time and I have no doubt all the stadiums will be ready before the World Cup," said Beckenbauer.
Germany is still basking in the success of a World Cup last year in which Beckenbauer played such a major role, but he advised South Africans to put their own stamp to what will be the first FIFA World Cup on the African continent.
"The best thing is not to copy the German World Cup. "South Africa must ensure it's an African World Cup, with all the continent's culture and flair.
Hayatou, who was last at the Cape Town construction site with FIFA President Joseph Blatter in June this year, was also extremely impressed with the progress made on the site since his last visit.
Jordaan said it was clear to Beckenbauer and Hayatou that much hard work was being done in South Africa to prepare for 2010 and that the country was on track and on schedule to host a successful event.
- SAPA
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