For the first time in the history of the World Cup, an African nation has been given the chance to host the most watched and most prestigious football completion. In the months of June and July next year, all eyes will be on South Africa, most of these eyes will off course expect nothing less than a spectacular event.
In spite of a few shortcomings the host-nation faced a few months ago, it has made lots of progress in terms of its infrastructural requirements. Five out of the ten stadia to be used for the World Cup 2010 next year have been completed. The others are expected to be fully finished by December 2009. A lot more has been done about the country’s security and transportation services to make sure next year’s football fiesta will be memorable. It is also an opportunity to prove to the World that Africa is capable of hosting an event as big as the World Cup.
A few years ago, Africa was given the chance to host the Miss World event in Nigeria and things didn’t go as planned. In the end, heads lives were lost, Africa was insulted and the event had to be moved to London. We all as Africans regret the way things went that year, and that is why next year’s World Cup in South Africa needs to be a top-class event. I am also expecting a more competitive performance from the African teams that will be representing the continent. This will prove the critiques wrong and perhaps give Africa more daring chances in the near future.
