| JORDAAN PROMISES 'SUCCESSFUL' AFRICAN | | | | hosted by Germany, making it the highest ever in the |
| WORLD CUP | | | | history of the World Cup |
| South Africa 2010 World Cup Chief Executive Danny | | | | "We want to organize a successful tournament both |
| Jordaan has promised a highly successful FIFA World | | | | on and off the pitch and we are working very hard |
| Cup in when South Africa hosts Africa's first ever | | | | to achieve this target." |
| World Cup. | | | | Jordaan added that it was also the vision of South |
| Since South Africa won the historic bid to host the | | | | Africa 2010 World Cup to use the tournament to |
| World Cup, there have been various criticism aimed | | | | erode the notion that Africa is a hopeless continent. |
| at the continents alleged inability to stage the | | | | "We want to use the World Cup to change the |
| competition. | | | | perception of Africa as a hopeless continent. This is |
| But Jordaan, who led South Africa's successful bid | | | | very important because the World Cup is an African |
| has poured cold water on the concerns, assuring that | | | | World Cup." |
| the tournament would be the most successful World | | | | Abedi: African teams must excel at 2010 World Cup |
| Cup ever organized. | | | | Ghana legend Abedi 'Pele' Ayew says it is extremely |
| Speaking at a press conference in Accra during his | | | | important for African countries who will take part in |
| visit for the Ghana 2008 draw, the 2010 World Cup | | | | the first ever World Cup on the continent to excel |
| chief said South Africa was aiming to make the | | | | and even go on to win the trophy to continue the |
| World Cup highly successful both on and off the | | | | tradition of host continents hosting and winning. |
| pitch. | | | | Abedi, who is also an ambassador for the South |
| "There have been doubts that Africa cannot organize | | | | Africa 2010 World Cup, said the World Cup in South |
| a successful World Cup but I want to assure that we | | | | Africa should be the time for Africa football to make |
| are capable of organizing a highly successful World | | | | a stronger impression on world football. |
| Cup and we will deliver," Jordaan said. | | | | "The history of the World Cup shows that only twice |
| He revealed that the tournament had already | | | | have continents hosting the World Cup failed to win |
| achieved commercial success as its commercial | | | | and this is an important history Africa should continue. |
| revenue had exceeded the previous World Cup | | | | |