South Africa's capability of hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup has triggered a lot of jealousy according to FIFA President Sepp Blatter.

Speaking at Soccer City on Monday during his visit to the country, Mr Blatter said South Africa was doing a good job with regards to preparing for the 2010 world cup and should not be bothered by criticism.

"If you are doing a good job people will envy you. There's a lot of resentment towards a country which is hosting the world cup because people will always think they can do it better," he said.

Mr Blatter reiterated his confidence in the country's ability to deliver a successful world cup.

"It will be a wonderful world cup because the organising is good. Nothing can be against this World Cup here in South Africa but God. The World Cup stays in South Africa," he emphasised.

Mr Blatter is expected to meet President Thabo Mbeki while touring the Green Point Stadium on Tuesday.

In his last visit he told the Local Organizing Committee that he wanted to see picks and shovels, but that he was pleased with the progress in Soccer City stadium - the venue for the opening and closing games of the world cup.

To celebrate Mandela's 89th birthday, FIFA will host an all star match with some of the world's best players from the past and present. The game will be played in Cape Town on 18 July.

Locking horns that day will be an Africa XI versus the rest of the world XI featuring past and present soccer legends.

The proceeds of this match are earmarked for legacy and out reach programmes for young people in the country. They hope to use football as a tool to develop educational, health and social programmes.

Mr Mandela was instrumental in the bid to bring the world cup tournament to South Africa and the star-studded match in his honour will be the taking place for the second time.

On 17 August 1999, Nelson Mandela African XI played against World All Stars in a farewell game for Mr Mandela who was then leaving the office of the Presidency.

Part of Mr Mandela's birthday festivities will include a special ceremony in Robben Island where fellow inmates of the Nobel Peace Prize winner will take the guests on a "footsteps of Mandela" tour.

The tour will include a visit to the football pitch where prisoners organized their league games.

Source: BuaNews


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