Even though the Technical Committee of the South African Football Association (SAFA) is understood to have already informed the organisation's National Executive Committee (NEC) of its chosen candidate - the duo still remain hopeful that they are the right men to lead Bafana Bafana to the 2008 AFCON and the 2010 World Cup.

The duo have between themselves amassed many years of experience of coaching - at both the junior and senior levels of the game.

Many of these years were spent at Ajax Amsterdam (AFC Ajax), where they led the team to the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Cup qualification on more than four occasions.

Blind is among the select few to play more than 500 matches in the Dutch league. He played 372 league matches for Ajax, 38 cup matches and 74 European matches.

He scored 36 goals in 493 official matches for AFC Ajax and was capped 42 times for Holland. He scored one goal in those matches.

"It is true that our representatives have made enquiries with the South African authorities, but nothing has been discussed between us and them directly as yet," Van der Lem told the official Ajax Cape Town website.

When asked why he would like to coach in South Africa, the former Saudi Arabia manager cited a number of reasons, including the fact that he had enjoyed working with South African players whilst still at AFC Ajax.

"I worked with Steven Pienaar and Hans Vonk in the last 15 months and also knew Benni McCarthy whilst he was still playing in the Reserve side before he made it into the first-team," revealed Van der Lem.

"All three are not only good tactically and technically, but they are also very good human beings, always willing to have a conversation. I have also followed the progress of Glen Salmon - another great South African player who has been doing very well in the Dutch Premier League."

Van der Lem, himself a former Ajax player, said the most important motivation behind their interest in the Bafana Bafana position was the challenge posed by the prospect of making sure that the host nation does well during the 2010 World Cup.

"It is a major challenge, which many coaches would be interested in undertaking, and we are no exception," concluded the ex-Barcelona FC assistant coach.

The German state of Bavaria is encouraging South African companies to attend a real estate trade fair in October 2006, saying it will attract investors in the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

Hans Spitzner, Bavaria's deputy minister for economic affairs said that SA could benefit from experience Germany was gaining in staging the 2006 Football World Cup.

Specific areas of opportunity that could be triggered by the event included the development of shopping malls, entertainment venues and residential developments, he said. The 2010 Football World Cup is expected to generate billions of rands.

Australia is keen as well to share the experience gained in hosting the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

(source: Business Day / Chris Van Gass / 17 February 2005)

The 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup should boost tourism in Southern Africa, which is currently handicapped by its image as a war zone and the difficulties of travel within the region.

Shepherd Nyaruwata, the executive director of the Regional Tourism Organisation for Southern Africa, said: "There is a need to spruce up the image of the region."

Nyaruwata expected tourist numbers to peak from 14 million last year to 20 million during 2010, with some World Cup soccer fans going on from the soccer tournament in South Africa to visit neighbouring states such as Mozambique and Namibia.

(source: Business Report / Alfonce Mbizwo / 17 March 2005)