SA to help Angolan Africa Cup of Nations effort 01/09/2009 |
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South Africa has been asked by Angola, hosts of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, to provide logistical support and advice.
The minister of sport and r ecreation, the Rev Makhenkesi Stofile, confirmed this on his return from a state visit to Angola with President Jacob Zuma this week.
There were fears that the spectacle could be taken away from Angola after reports that they would not be ready in time, with SA rumoured to be the ideal replacement candidate.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) inspectors will make the final decision in November on whether Angola will host the tournament (scheduled for January 2010).
“In March, their m inister of y outh and s port, Goncalves Muandumba, visited South Africa and one of the things discussed was the need for SA, as the hosts of the 2010 Fifa World Cup, to assist Angola strategically and logistically,” said Stofile.
“We have helped other countries in the past like Mali (2002 Cup of Nations) and Mozambique with the Zone VI Games in 2004. We gave Mali buses, money, event planners and managers. We will send two people to reinforce the Angolans’ organising committee.”
He did not rule out the possibility of SA hosting the event should Angola be unable to meet its commitments. “That will have to go to cabinet. It’s not an SA Football Association or Local Organising Committee decision. This will have to involve the home affairs, transport and tourism departments as there will be many people coming to the country.
“We will be ready to host if given a month but we do not want to come across as wanting to monopolise all the big sporting events. We should be able to decline and give other countries a chance to improve their infrastructure,” said Stofile.
In 1996 SA were awarded the Cup of Nations at the 11th hour after Kenya pulled out due to lack of infrastructure. They won the cup after beating Tunisia 2-1 in the final.
Stofile said Angola’s main concern was accommodation. “W e offered them advice on how to capitalise on their booming cruise-boat business as accommodation. Transport and stadiums should not be a problem.”
The tournament draw will be on November 20 in Luanda.
(Source: Thetimes.co.za)
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