Players like Samuel Eto''o, Didier Drogba and Michael Essien could steer an African team to the World Cup final when the event is staged there for the first time in 2010, organisers said on Tuesday.
Danny Jordaan, head of hosts South Africa''s organising committee, also said it was important for the World Cup to be an African celebration.
"African players like Eto''o, Drogba and Essien are now among the best players in the top leagues in the world," he told a news conference on the fringe of the Euro 2008 tournament.
"African teams will be able to compete in 2010. By 2010, African teams will have the correct level of support to be major contenders.
"That shows the progress African football has made over the last five years."
Cameroon''s Eto''o, Drogba of Ivory Coast and Ghana''s Essien have become key figures at top European clubs. Eto''o helped Barcelona win the 2006 Champions League, while Drogba and Essien have enjoyed trophy success in England with Chelsea.
No African team has gone beyond the quarter-finals of any World Cup to date. A last eight place was achieved by Cameroon in 1990 and Senegal in 2002.
"We want to see an African team in the final for the first time," Jordaan said, adding there were a number of nations who had shown they could do well in the finals, including Ghana, Cameroon and Nigeria.
AFRICAN SOIL
"There is no reason that an African team cannot reach the final on African soil," he said.
Jordaan did not mention the hosts themselves as potential finalists. South Africa failed to qualify for the World Cup finals in Germany in 2006 though are sure of a place in 2010 as host nation.
But he said it was important that South Africa, who made a group stage exit at the African Nations Cup in January, did well at the tournament.
The enormous street celebrations when France won the 1998 final in Paris and when South Korea reached the semi-finals in 2002 showed how home team success can generate a great tournament atmosphere, he said.
Jordaan promised that the creation of fanzones and public viewing areas would create an unrivalled atmosphere of celebration.
"Football in Africa can create a truly wonderful celebration," he said
Danny Jordaan, head of hosts South Africa''s organising committee, also said it was important for the World Cup to be an African celebration.
"African players like Eto''o, Drogba and Essien are now among the best players in the top leagues in the world," he told a news conference on the fringe of the Euro 2008 tournament.
"African teams will be able to compete in 2010. By 2010, African teams will have the correct level of support to be major contenders.
"That shows the progress African football has made over the last five years."
Cameroon''s Eto''o, Drogba of Ivory Coast and Ghana''s Essien have become key figures at top European clubs. Eto''o helped Barcelona win the 2006 Champions League, while Drogba and Essien have enjoyed trophy success in England with Chelsea.
No African team has gone beyond the quarter-finals of any World Cup to date. A last eight place was achieved by Cameroon in 1990 and Senegal in 2002.
"We want to see an African team in the final for the first time," Jordaan said, adding there were a number of nations who had shown they could do well in the finals, including Ghana, Cameroon and Nigeria.
AFRICAN SOIL
"There is no reason that an African team cannot reach the final on African soil," he said.
Jordaan did not mention the hosts themselves as potential finalists. South Africa failed to qualify for the World Cup finals in Germany in 2006 though are sure of a place in 2010 as host nation.
But he said it was important that South Africa, who made a group stage exit at the African Nations Cup in January, did well at the tournament.
The enormous street celebrations when France won the 1998 final in Paris and when South Korea reached the semi-finals in 2002 showed how home team success can generate a great tournament atmosphere, he said.
Jordaan promised that the creation of fanzones and public viewing areas would create an unrivalled atmosphere of celebration.
"Football in Africa can create a truly wonderful celebration," he said
1 comment:
Hi,
I am writing to let you know about a campaign that is sure to score a goal with your readers!
Jump TV has teamed up with Brickfish to launch a campaign for all the World Cup Soccer fans out there! The “Show Us Your Colors” campaign, located at http://www.brickfish.com/Sports/ShowUsYourColors?tab=entries, asks entrants to
show their enthusiasm for the sport by submitting an impressive soccer skill, a secret soccer trick, or best rendition of an announcer's goal scream.
The grand prize winner has a chance at winning a seven day trip for two to the World Cup Soccer Finals in South Africa! Jump TV will also be giving away subscription packages to other lucky winners.
If you are interested in covering the campaign and need images, feel free to contact me at Ashley.Futak@brickfish.com or 858-587-2530.
Thanks!
Post a Comment