Bafana have a point to prove

2008-07-09 13:37

Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana have less than a year to prove themselves.

Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke on Wednesday admitted that it would be tough going for Bafana when they compete against some of the best countries in world soccer at the Confederations Cup in South Africa next June.

Bafana will have either world champions Italy or newly crowned European champions Spain in their group when the Confederations Cup - a dress rehearsal for the 2010 World Cup finals - begins next June.

Italy and the six continental champions plus hosts South Africa will compete in the tournament that is staged a year before the World Cup in order to test the ability of the host country ahead of staging the biggest soccer event in the world.

Fifa are concerned by the fact that Bafana are on the verge of not qualifying for the 2010 African Nations Cup finals in Angola but Valcke stressed that it would not be a total train smash.

Said the Fifa boss at a round table meeting with the media on Wednesday: "Bafana have less than a year to do it before the kick-off of the Confederations Cup."

Powerful squads

Valcke said that South Africa were in a different position to both France and Germany before those countries hosted the World Cup is 1998 and 2006 respectively.

"The only similarity was that both France and Germany were under pressure to perform. But the difference is that both countries had powerful squads and, in the end, France won the World Cup in 1998 and Germany finished third in 2006.

"With the case of South Africa, there is doubt the team will get past the first round."

Valcke pointed out that Fifa staged a successful Euro 2008 despite the fact that both joint hosts, Austria and Switzerland, were knocked out after the first round.

"The fun parks and stadiums at Euro 2008 were packed. But having said that, if the host team plays well it creates something special. But hopefully Bafana will improve in the next 12 months. They have a lot to prove in that time."

Meanwhile Valcke also stated that not enough is being done by the 2010 Local Organising Committee to promote South Africa to the world.

"SA should start now sending out information to the world on what they can expect from this country during both the Confederations and World Cups.

Plan B

"We should be starting with the six teams that have already qualified for the Confederations Cup (Italy, Spain, Brazil, United States, Iraq and Egypt). It is important for this country to promote itself. It will be too late after the Confederations Cup."

Valcke also told the media to forget about Fifa president Sepp Blatter's Plan B.

Blatter told the media in Vienna last month that Fifa had a Plan B in case South Africa was hit by a natural disaster and could not host the 2010 showpiece.

"But," stated Valcke, "no matter where we host the World Cup, there will be questions about that county's ability to stage the event. We expect the same questions to arise when Brazil hosts the World cup in 2014. We are confident of SA's ability to stage a successful World Cup."

The Fifa chief also stated the world controlling body would be discussing the recent crisis in Zimbabwe with the United Nations. But said there were no plans to suspend Zimbabwe at this stage.

"It is a political matter. We only suspend member countries of a government if they interfere with the football association of that country but we will meet the UN on Zimbabwe."

- SAPA