Mninawa Ntloko
17 September 2008
Johannesburg — IRVIN Khoza, the chairman of the 2010 Soccer World Cup organising committee, yesterday displayed unwavering optimism in the face of growing unease and insisted that the ailing national soccer team could still be resuscitated by the time SA hosts the global showpiece in 631 days.
Responding to Fifa president Sepp Blatter's criticism of the national team after Bafana failed to qualify for the 2010 African Nations Cup nearly two weeks ago, Khoza said it was the world football boss's opinion.
"We respect his opinion but it is not the first time that this has happened," Khoza said.
Turning to Fifa secretary-general Jerome Valcke, Khoza said: "Your country (France) did not qualify for the World Cup before hosting it in 1998."
"England failed to qualify for the recent Euro championships. Germany was the same and they were also written off by almost everybody before they hosted the 2006 World Cup. And yet they (Germany) managed to reach the semifinals while France went on to win it."
Blatter -- who is on a four-day visit to SA -- expressed his disappointment with Bafana's continuing downward spiral and said he could not believe the team's rapid decline since SA was awarded the rights to host the World Cup in 2004.
But Khoza said the Fifa president did not raise the subject when he met South African football bosses soon after making the comments.
"The only thing he said to us was that Bafana have to score more goals."
Khoza came out in support of the South African Football Association and said the beleaguered organisation could not be blamed for Bafana's failings.
The organising committee chairman also announced that following yesterday's board meeting, they agreed that the cheapest tickets during the 2010 World Cup would cost $20.
"We agreed that regardless of what happens, the rate will be fixed at R7 to the US dollar."
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