| |  South Africa Home Page | | | | McCarthy to stay till 2011 |  Benni McCarthy has agreed a new £40,000-a-week deal to stay at Blackburn. The South Africa striker will sign a contract extension until 2011, subject to a work permit.
McCarthy, 30, stalled on a new deal in the summer but agreed to sign after Blackburn came back with an improved offer.
Even though McCarthy has struggled to rediscover the form that brought him 24 goals in his first season in English football following a £2m move from Porto, he has scored 11 times this season.
Rovers will now try to persuade Morten Gamst Pedersen and David Bentley to commit their futures to the club, despite Bentley in particular being linked with a move away from Ewood Park in the summer.
SOURCE: Daily Mail
| | SAfrica won't cut social programmes for 2010 tab | SAfrica won't cut social programmes for 2010 tab
South Africa will not cut social programmes to fund construction of stadiums and other facilities for the 2010 soccer World Cup, the chief executive of its World Cup organising committee said on Tuesday.
Danny Jordaan told journalists the government would absorb the 17.4 billion rand ($2.42 billion) needed to build and refurbish 10 stadiums as well as other World Cup costs without raiding education and health budgets or other key sectors.
"This event does not come at the expense of social programmes," Jordaan said after he and other officials provided an update on South Africa's preparations to host what will be the first FIFA World Cup played in Africa.
"What this event has done is create jobs," he said, adding that the government expected significant economic and social gains from increased tourism and other spin-offs from the prestigious championship.
The African National Congress (ANC), which has ruled since apartheid ended in 1994, is under growing pressure to improve delivery of water, electricity and other basic services to millions of poor residents, most of them black.
Thousands of people have taken to the streets of townships and shantytowns to voice anger over poor service delivery and the government's failure to dramatically improve their lives as promised when it took power.
In some cases crowds have attacked and even killed local ANC officials.
The country's World Cup organisers, however, said that the tournament would be a catalyst for economic development, helping to expand South Africa's tax base, build skills among workers and showcase its attractions to investors and tourists.
They expect 9.8 billion rand in tourist revenue and a further 7.2 billion rand in tax revenue to be generated by the event and an undetermined amount in economic benefits from improved infrastructure.
South Africa is also upgrading its poor transport system and building hotels to accommodate 450,000 overseas fans who are expected to visit for the month-long tournament, which begins on June 11, 2010.
CULLED FROM: The Guardian | Beckenbauer boosts South
Africa 2010 World Cup effort | FIFA member Franz Beckenbauer is confident South Africa will host a successful World Cup in 2010, inspite of the country's crime problem and other challenges clouding its preparations.
High levels of violence have raised fears that fans and players could be easy pickings for criminals in the nine host cities.
"I have trust in the government. I think they will get it under control," the former Germany captain and coach told reporters while visiting Green Point stadium in Cape Town, venue for several 2010 matches.
Beckenbauer added he was "very optimistic" the construction and refurbishment of the 10 World Cup stadiums would be completed in time, with Johannesburg providing two venues.
The German great, a World Cup winner as a player and coach and head of the organising committee of last year's finals in his native country, caused a stir in 2006 when he said South Africa's effort was "beset by big problems".
The remark came amid rumours that world soccer's governing body FIFA was worried about the slow pace of stadium construction and was interpreted as support for moving the tournament to another country, possibly Germany.
In a letter to South African organisers, Beckenbauer later said his comments had been falsely portrayed and at no point had he suggested Germany or another country should be made a substitute host.
He then apologised for the confusion and pledged his total support for South Africa.
CULLED FROM: The Guardian | | McCarthy set to end Bafana exile |  Benni McCarthy is set to return to South Africa's national team after a fall-out with the country's FA that has lasted some 19 months.
The striker has been included in the squad for a Nations Cup qualifier against Zambia in Cape Town on 9 September.
McCarthy last played for Bafana Bafana at the 2006 Nations Cup in Egypt.
He blamed the South African Football Association (Safa) for demonising him during after a pay dispute.
South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira had a brief meeting with McCarthy last weekend after Bafana Bafana lost 1-0 to Scotland in a friendly match.
The team looked weak in attack in that match.
McCarthy refused to play in the Nations Cup qualifier against Chad on 2 June despite being called-up to the squad.
His 19 goals for Blackburn made him the second-top goalscorer in the Premier League last season.
South Africa squad
Goalkeepers: Rowen Fernandez (Arminia Bielefeld, Germany), Calvin Marlin (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Defenders: Vuyo Mere and Benson Mhlongo (Sundowns), Aaron Mokoena (Blackburn, England capt), Bradley Carnell (Karlsruhe, Germany), Cyril Nzama (Kaizer Chiefs), Brett Evans (Ajax Cape Town), Nasief Morris (Panathinaikos,Greece), Bevan Fransman (Moroka Swallows).
Midfielders: Surprise Moriri and Dillon Sheppard (Sundowns), Macbeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan, Russia), Steven Pienaar (Everton, England), Papi Zothwane (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Siyabonga Nkosi (Arminia Bielefeld, Germany), Benedict Vilakazi (Aalborg, Denmark), Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Delron Buckley (Borussia Dortmund, Germany)
Strikers: Benni McCarthy (Blackburn, England), Thembinkosi Fanteni (Ajax Cape Town), Siyabonga Nomvete (Aalborg, Denmark).
SOURCE: BBC Sport | | Bafana's Brazilian hope |  The legendary Carlos Alberto Parreira took over the reins of the Bafana Bafana in January this year when the South African team was at an all-time low.
Bafana famously won the 1996 CAF Africa Cup of Nations on home soil at their first attempt, but the team has been in freefall in recent times, culminating in embarrassing first-round exits from the last two Cup of Nations tournaments in Tunisia and Egypt, where they failed to score a goal. The 2010 FIFA World Cup™ hosts are currently ranked 60th in the FIFA/Coca World Ranking and are only considered Africa's 12th best team at the moment.
Just as South Africa has turned into a giant construction site as it prepares for the 2010 FIFA World Cup by building and upgrading football stadiums and rejuvenating its infrastructure, so too Parreira has slowly begun the job of rebuilding the country's football team.
With the FIFA World Cups in France, Korea/Japan and Germany showing how success on the pitch for the hosts can contribute to the tournament's overall success, the South African Football Association went to great lengths to lure the 64-year-old Brazilian coach to revive the national team's fortunes.
Certainly, Parreira's aura, reputation and considerable football know-how have already begun to rub off on his new team.
The Brazilian was in the stands when South Africa went to Lusaka and scored a hard-fought 1-0 win over Zambia in an important Cup of Nations qualifier. In his first official game in charge on 24 March, Parreira's team took a giant stride towards qualifying for Ghana 2008 by beating Chad 3-0 away in N'djamena to open up a two-point lead over Zambia in Group 11 after three qualifying games.
However, while Parreira has had some success against African opposition, a 1-0 loss against a physical Bolivian team serves to demonstrate how much work lies ahead of him if he wants to make his team truly competitive on the international stage.
Players behind Parreira
Parreira's ice-cool demeanour and easy-going attitude have quickly found favour with his new charges as has the fact that he won the FIFA World Cup as coach of Brazil in 1994.
Delron Buckley, who played for South Africa at the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups, offered this ringing endorsement.
"He has brilliant ideas and he's trying to teach us his methods," he said. "He brings a great spirit to the team and the guys are clicking nicely. He's laid-back and gives the players their freedom. However, he has also stressed the importance of discipline and hard work. Tactically, he's very good and has shown us how many goals in the modern game are scored from dead-ball situations."
Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana captain Aaron Mokoena, a defensive midfielder with Blackburn Rovers in the Premiership, described the spirit in the team as 'fantastic' at the moment.
"We've gelled together well since Carlos took over," he said. "Spirit is the most important thing in football and it's great to see the players happy and committed and really wanting to work. Carlos has been around for a very, very long time. He understands what it takes to win games. He has coached really big players, but he knows we're not Brazil and that we've got our own style of play. He also knows we have talent and he's bringing the best out of us."
Parreira himself is not getting carried away with his good start in his new job and is looking to line up as many games as possible for his team to gain as much experience as possible against high-calibre opposition.
"The only way to build a team for 2010 is to play games," he commented. "We need games, games, games to build the team to get the experience required for our players. We need to use the chances we get and to use all the FIFA designated dates to play, until the World Cup in 2010. We've got the right attitude and the right mood at the moment. The players realize it is important to rebuild the reputation we had before. Somehow we lost it. We should aim to be among the best three teams in Africa again. This will come with results and with commitment."
SOURCE: soccernet.com | | Parreira receives work permit |  South Africa's new coach, Carlos Alberto Parreira, has received a work permit allowing him to officially start his new role.
The World Cup-winning Brazilian had previously been working illegally for the South African Football Association (Safa) on a visitors visa.
"We have been working closely with Safa to speed up the work permit for Carlos Alberto and his assistant (fellow Brazilian Jairo Leal)," Mantshele Tau, spokesman for the South African Department of Home Affairs told BBC Sport.
"We have taken this decision in the best interest of the preparations for the 2010 World Cup.
"We are going to penalise Safa for their convention of the Immigration Act because they have allowed the coach and his assistant to work without a work permit.
"We haven't decided exactly how much yet, but it is likely to be in the region of 20,000 Rand (US$2,750).
Parreira held a three-day training camp in Johannesburg last week with a 23-man squad and has also attended a number of local games to identify potential Bafana Bafana players.
Safa has admitted that it was tardy in beginning the process of applying for employment visas for Parreira and Leal, who entered South Africa as tourists, and are awaiting police and medical documents for the pair.
SOURCE: BBC Sport | | Parreira to start South Africa job next week | New South African coach Carlos Alberto Parreira will arrive next week to begin his work ahead of the country's hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals, the South African Football Association said on Friday.
The Brazilian signed a contract last year but delayed his arrival by six months to take some time away from the game after the last FIFA World Cup finals, where he was in charge of his native country.
Although he has watched two of South Africa's last three matches, Parreira will only begin his work when he arrives in Johannesburg next Thursday.
He is planning to hold a training camp with the national team on 7 February, a date set aside by FIFA for international friendlies. It will allow Parreira to call up players based in Europe.
SAFA chief executive officer Raymond Hack said Parreira had asked for a training camp to get to know the players rather than a friendly international.
Parreira's first game in charge will be an CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifier away against Chad on 25 March.
CULLED from FIFA.com | | S Africa unveils World Cup budget | The South African government is to spend more than 15bn rand ($2bn) on hosting the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
The country's finance minister Trevor Manuel announced the figures to the South African parliament on Wednesday.
The bulk of the money will be spent on building new football stadiums and refurbishing existing ones. 
There is public concern that South Africa will be poorly prepared and not able to afford to host the event.
Five new stadiums Mr Manuel outlined his plans for the World Cup while delivering a medium-term budget policy statement to parliament.
He told members of the national assembly that 8.4bn rand ($1.1bn) would be spent in building five new stadiums and upgrading existing facilities, while 6.4bn rand ($800m) was to be invested in public transport initiatives and supporting infrastructure.
The money will be spent over the next three years.
Mr Manuel told assembly members that hosting the event would require the "effort of all South Africans".
"The 2010 Fifa World Cup provides South Africa and the region with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to showcase our land and our hospitality in a sporting festival that knows no bounds," he added.
Extra security
In addition to spending on stadiums and public transport, money is to be set aside to help fight crime.
The government intends to recruit an extra 8,000 police officers and 2,000 civilians to provide security during the tournament.
Mr Manuel said that sustained economic growth and a sound fiscal position had made the money needed for investment available.
SOURCE: BBC Sport | | Southern Africa may host base camps in 2010 |  (The South African Organising Committee has announced that it would consider some of its Southern African neighbours as base camps for teams during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the first to be staged in Africa.
LOC CEO Danny Jordaan assured reporters that there were no major crime concerns looking ahead to the global event, and plans are already in place to ensure the safety of fans and players. He did however take a cautious route, warning that general crime remains a South African problem.
"We (South Africans) should not make the mistake of thinking that we must wait until 2010 to deal with this matter," Jordaan remarked. "As far as 2010 and 2009 is concerned around event status and security, this country has demonstrated its ability to safeguard these events."
He was referring to the relative success of the 1996 African Cup of Nations, the 1995 IRB Rugby World Cup, and the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup which all proved to be incident-free events. There was also the World Summit on Sustainable Development, which South Africa hosted in 2002 and the country's security plan was declared by the United Nations as a benchmark for future conferences.
Dr Khoza, the chairman of the LOC, discussed the possibility of the FIFA World Cup moving to a different time of year as the country will be in its winter months when the event is normally scheduled. In the end he insisted that, in terms of agreements with FIFA, "the event will take place in June and July of 2010". Many leagues, including the major European championships, usually end in May at the latest, allowing the players a month of match rest before the finals get underway.
Time for friends
A decision was also taken to seriously consider South Africa's immediate neighbours as possibilities for team base camps. Countries such as Angola and Mozambique, both Portuguese-speaking countries, could be easier for Portuguese and Brazilian players to adjust to. Similarly, German is spoken in parts of Namibia and could be considered as bas venue.
Jordaan alleviated concerns about stadium construction saying that a comprehensive timeline is currently in place to ensure the renovation and construction will be completed in time for the June 2010 kick-off.
A technical team, consisting of quantity surveyors, architects and civil engineers, has been working closely with the host cities in an oversight capacity during this process. Despite the careful planning, Jordaan was quick to point out that "There are still factors that you can't control. The workers may not be happy and the next day the weather may not be happy".
Durban, located in the Thekwini Municipality, has already begun demolition for its new stadium and Port Elizabeth, in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, recently turned the first sods of soil for its new ground.
SOURCE: FIFA.com | | Uefa to hear McCarthy racism case |  Uefa will look into Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy's allegation of racial abuse by Wisla Krakow defender Nikola Mijailovic on Thursday.
European football's governing body has instigated disciplinary proceedings against Mijailovic following the Uefa Cup tie in Poland last Thursday.
The charge is based on a complaint by Blackburn, the Football Association and referee Stefan Johannesson.
Serbian Mijailovic has vigorously denied the allegations.
"Both of us were swearing but there was no racist abuse at all," said the 24-year-old Mijailovic.
Wisla said they had investigated the incident and found nothing to substantiate the claims.
South African McCarthy apparently approached Johannesson at half-time but alleged that the taunts continued.
However, Uefa has already warned it may be difficult to find any "hard evidence" to back up McCarthy's claims.
SOURCE: BBC Sport | | | Mijailovic denies McCarthy's racism accusation | Wisla Krakow defender Nikola Mijailovic has denied he racially abused Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy during Thursday's UEFA Cup tie.
McCarthy was left downcast despite the victory in Poland, squaring up to Mijailovic at the end of the game, stating he had been abused by his Serbian opponent.
The Football Association have asked UEFA to investigate, with Blackburn urging strong measures.
However Mijailovic, 24, has pleaded innocence, admitting he and McCarthy were involved in a running battle but denying it degenerated so far as for him to use racist language.
'Almost in the first minute he hit me very badly, it was a really inappropriate move for a football player,' Mijailovic told Serbian newspaper `Kurir'.
'When I hit back, he started to bawl, to insult me, he even started to stick his tongue out at me.
'During the game he used really numerous swear words during our duels.
'At the end of match I tried to ignore him, but he came closer and started to wag his hands in front of me.
'I couldn't stand all of that any more, so I've pushed him, and that was all.
'But, after that, I couldn't believe he was acting like a cissy. He claimed I used some racist comments. Nonsense!
'Both of us were swearing, but there was no racist abuse at all. Investigation will show I'm innocent, everything can be seen on tape.'
Mijailovic's verdict contrasts with the version of events put forward by the Premiership team.
Rovers manager Mark Hughes said yesterday: 'There is no place for abuse like this in sport or in life.
'There is banter and sledging, but this was a lot stronger than that.'
However Mijailovic said: 'When a black player hits or swears at a white opponent, it's nothing. But when you hit back in the same way, then you are called a racist.
'Why didn't he act like a real man and say what kind of things he said to me? I really can't understand this guy.'
SOURCE: soccernet.com | | Blackburn make racism allegations |  Blackburn will make a formal complaint to Uefa after alleging striker Benni McCarthy was the victim of racist abuse in the 2-1 away win over Wisla Krakow.
Rovers boss Mark Hughes said McCarthy had been on the receiving end of abuse during the Uefa Cup match in Poland.
"Benni was upset because a number of comments were made to him during the game," said Hughes.
"The comments were of a racist nature. We will speak to Uefa and make it clear to them who we think was involved."
Hughes added: "I will speak to the Uefa delegate at some stage to make our point.
"It's unfortunate something like this will tend to overshadow a great performance."
McCarthy - a South Africa international - has scored six goals for Rovers, including two in the Uefa Cup, finding form in recent weeks after his arrival from Porto in the summer.
SOURCE: BBC Spor | | S. Africa bill for 2010 World Cup soars to £800m | South Africa's projected bill for hosting the 2010 World Cup has ballooned to more than 12 billion rand (£800million).
Figures released by the organising committee on Wednesday put the cost of stadiums at 8.3 billion rand (£589million), transport at 3.7 billion rand (£260million) and broadcasting at 400 million rand (£28million).
When South Africa won the bid in 2004 to become the first African hosts of the tournament, estimates put the total cost at 2.3 billion rand.
The committee denied underestimating the costs, saying plans had changed because new soccer stadiums are being built rather than using existing rugby grounds as planned.
'There has been no increase in the costs of stadiums (but) we (will) have built five new stadiums specifically for football,' chief executive Danny Jordaan told a news conference.
Construction work on the new stadiums in Cape Town, Durban, Nelspruit, Polokwane and Port Elizabeth begins in January and will be completed inside 34 months.
There has been widespread criticism of increasing World Cup costs, along with questions over what will happen to the new stadiums when the tournament ends.
In Cape Town and Durban, 70,000-seater stadiums are planned.
South Africa's national league struggles to fill small venues, sparking worries the new bigger stadiums could become expensive white elephants.
Jordaan dismissed media reports that organisers were behind schedule.
'This is a clear misconception,' he said. 'They (the media) say we are unprofessional, that we don't keep time, because it's in Africa they say it's a crisis.'
But fears the country's high crime-rate could deter visitors were acknowledged.
'Crime is a South African thing. We shouldn't wait until 2010 to deal with this matter,' Jordaan said.
SOURCE: soccernet.com | | South Africa squeeze past Zambia |  Aaron Mokoena scored his first international goal to give South Africa a precious 1-0 win over Zambia Sunday in a 2008 African Nations Cup qualifier.
The Blackburn Rovers defender struck after 28 minutes at the Independence Stadium, rising to power a Delron Buckley free kick past goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene.
Mokoena was reinstated as skipper for the Group 11 clash after a traumatic year in which he was stripped of the captaincy and temporarily retired from international football.
Known as The Axe, Mokoena has represented his country 58 times, but missed the 2006 Nations Cup in Egypt after a public storm with coach Ted Dumitru.
Victory lifted 1996 Nations Cup winners South Africa to four points and leadership of a group that includes Congo and Chad, who meet later Sunday in Brazzaville.
It was a timely success for Bafana Bafana, lifting the gloom hanging over the national team after being held 0-0 at home by Congo last month in their first qualifier for the 2008 tournament in Ghana.
Among those in the Zambian capital to see South Africa win there for the first time in four attempts was Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, who succeeds Mosimane in January.
Parreira led Brazil to the 1994 World Cup title and was also in charge this year when the favourites made a surprise quarter-finals exit against eventual runners-up France in Germany.
This was the best performance by South Africa for some time and they would have won more convincingly with sharper finishing, wasting several chances to put the result beyond doubt in the second half.
Chief culprit was Simphiwe Tshabalala, who volleyed a cross wide with only Mweene to beat 60 minutes into the match, staged in clear spring conditions on a bumpy pitch.
And veteran striker Siyabonga Nomvete should have done better 10 minutes later as he burst through only to hesitate and his pass was fired wide by Tshabalala, who was replaced by Ricardo Katza soon after.
Favourites Zambia seemed overawed by the tag with midfielder Christopher Katongo and striker Collins Mbesuma failing to have the expected impact on the clash of fierce regional rivals.
Katongo has been outstanding for Johannesburg-based club Jomo Cosmos, wreaking havoc with defences and scoring consistently, and many South Africans feared him.
Mbesuma was outstanding for another Johannesburg outfit, Kaizer Chiefs, before moving to Portsmouth, where he was less successful and the English Premiership club have lent him to Portuguese club Maritimo.
But South Africa defender Bradley Carnell comfortably contained Katongo while Mbesuma, handicapped by a heavily strapped thigh, rarely threatened goalkeeper Rowan Fernandez.
The Zambian striker could have snatched a dramatic late equaliser though, driving a loose ball goalward only for the goalkepeer to make a brave block before the ball was cleared.
SOURCE: BBC Sport
The 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ Organising Committee have revealed that their 8.4 billion-Rand ($1.1 billion) stadium construction programme will move up a gear at the turn of the year.
This issue has been the subject of some discussion as South Africa has five new stadiums to build, in addition to attending to the major upgrading of Soccer City (currently the FNB Stadium). However, speaking at a press conference in Johannesburg, the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Dr Irvin Khoza, illustrated clearly the LOC's sense of urgency, stating firmly that all construction "must start by January 2007".
The expectation is that, upon completion, Soccer City will be the flagship stadium of the tournament. Traditionally, South African football has not enjoyed the same access to quality stadiums as rugby union, but this will be just one of numerous football-dedicated arenas that will help form the FIFA World Cup's legacy in South Africa.
FIFA General Secretary, Dr Urs Linsi, reiterated the importance of this to FIFA, and put a different spin on talk surrounding the price-tag on construction. "These stadiums are not costs, they are investments," he said. "A major part of these costs is an investment in the future." Dr Linsi also urged the South African public and media to get behind the FIFA World Cup in their homeland. Hand-in-hand
The FIFA General Secretary expressed optimism in the work that will be done to ensure the success the first-ever FIFA World Cup on African soil, assuring the audience that: "We [FIFA] will work hand-in-hand together with our friends in the LOC."
"We have started work earlier - earlier than ever," he continued. "We have no doubt that 2010 will be played in South Africa, and that is what we will work towards."
FIFA's newly-appointed consultant for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Horst Schmidt, was also present at the press conference, and he made it clear that he is looking forward to a challenge that, even for a man of his experience, will be unique. He said: "(The 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany) was my tenth World Cup, and I can tell you the circumstances and the conditions of the World Cup have been completely different over the years."
South Africa will become the first African country to host a FIFA World Cup in 2010. According to the rotational system for awarding the tournament, the 2014 FIFA World Cup will be hosted in South America.
SOURCE: FIFA.com
Carlos Alberto Parreira: I want South African success
 Although Carlos Alberto Parreira officially begins his role as the coach of South Africa in January 2007, he was happy to talk to the media in Johannesburg about his feelings of excitement about leading Bafana Bafana to greater heights.
Parreira is in the country to watch South Africa play two fixtures, both qualifying matches for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to take place in Ghana in two years time. He cut an intrigued figure as he saw his side held to a goalless draw against Congo and will be hoping to witness an improvement in their next match against Zambia.
When asked whether South Africa will adopt a Brazilian style, Parreira was quick to respond. "What is the Brazilian way? It is based on possession, skill and having technically good players who are creative. However, you need to be good technically to keep possession. If we can coach them, they will learn how to keep possession."
Despite the goalless draw to Congo, Parreira has seen enough in his new side to suggest that the prospects are good for South Africa. "They should be given the freedom to play - and I will be encouraging them to do that," he added.
Why South Africa?
The main question from the media was why Parreira decided to take up the position with Bafana Bafana. Parreira declared that he believed that he wanted to help South Africa make their mark on world football in 2010, the year the country hosts the FIFA World Cup™. "I want to be part of the first World Cup on African soil," he said. "It is also important for the Host Country to do well, just as Germany did this year. South Africa and Africa as a whole must show the world just what can be achieved, both on and off the pitch."
Parreira is also eager to help the country rise up the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking. Ten years ago, South Africa were 16th, now they are 60 places lower. He believes that South Africa should adopt a similar style of leagues to those in Brazil, where the potential of talented players are spotted at an early age. The former Brazil coach hopes that the South African FA will start an U-20 league, which will help produce player for the national team. "You build a big team when you play a big team," was his considered comment on the situation.
And they do not come much bigger than his former team, Brazil. Parreira even hinted that they will try to line up a friendly against his old charges in the near future. Given that one of his ex-pupils, Dunga, the man who lifted aloft the FIFA World Cup Trophy in 1994 after Parreira had guided the team to a penalty shoot-out win over Italy, that match may happen sooner rather than later. Indeed, the 'Sorceror' was quick to praise his 'Apprentice' for his success with the Seleção so far. "I believe he will do a good job," he smiled. "He's already had good results, most notably against Argentina last weekend."
Yet, Parreira's honeymoon period as South Africa coach could be shorter than most. There are those in the country who believe that the national team should be coach by someone from South Africa. It will, therefore, be interesting to see how his first few matches in charge of the team are received. Indeed, during the press conference the Brazilian was criticised for not leading his team to victory at Germany 2006. However, in typical Parreira style, he responded with a shrug of the shoulders and this off-the-cuff remark. "We had won the Copa America and the Confederations Cup. When it came to the World Cup, we just didn't have the right chemistry. That's it."
SOURCE: FIFA.com
|
| | | | Other News | | MCCARTHY BREAKS CITY RESOLVE |  Benni McCarthy maintained Blackburn's bright start to the season with his first Barclays Premier League goal of the campaign as they defeated Manchester City 1-0.
The South African's strike was enough to give Mark Hughes' side the edge against City in a rousing encounter.
Both sides finished with 10 men. Blackburn midfielder Tugay was sent off, as was City skipper Richard Dunne. While Rovers extended their unbeaten run to 14 matches stretching back to last season, City have lost two in succession in the league with out scoring.
McCarthy made the breakthrough in the 13th minute when David Bentley swung in a corner from the left that was met by Christopher Samba at the far post. He picked out Roque Santa Cruz, only for Kasper Schmeichel to parry his header straight into the path of McCarthy, who scored from close range.
It was the South African striker's first league goal of the season to add to his two in the Intertoto Cup. He scored 24 in all competitions last term.
Blackburn almost extended their lead when David Dunn got on the end of a Bentley free-kick only to head over the bar. Then Stephen Warnock found Santa Cruz at the back post but Schmeichel got a good hand to the ball.
Blackburn almost added a second in first-half stoppage-time when Bentley picked out Morten Gamst Pedersen but the Norwegian's effort was blocked by the goalkeeper.
The visitors hit back and won a free-kick 20 yards out in the 53rd minute. Brazilian midfielder Elano took it, only to send his effort narrowly wide of the post.
Blackburn were reduced to 10 men in the 55th minute when Tugay was sent off after picking up two yellow cards in two minutes. The Turkish playmaker was dismissed for challenges on Mpenza and Dietmar Hamann.
However, Sven-Goran Eriksson's side went down to 10 men in the 65th minute when skipper Dunne was sent off after a lunge on Santa Cruz as Rovers held on.
SOURCE: Daily Express | | Work permit quandary for Parreira |  South Africa's new Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has started his job without valid papers.
South African Football Association's chief executive Raymond Hack admitted that Parreira, hired on a monthly salary of US$252,000, did not have a work permit as yet.
"Yes, he is not properly documented but it is being taken care of now," Hack said.
The 64-year-old former Brazilian World Cup winning-team coach has already held a three-day training camp in Johannesburg with his squad.
SAFA spokesman Morio Sanyane said Parreira's work permit had been held up as they were waiting for documents from Brazil to process the papers.
"We were waiting for his police clearance and medical certificates which are here now and as we speak his work permit is in the process of being done," said Sanyane.
Parreira and his Brazilian assistant are in the country on visitors' visas.
According to the South African law, a foreigner needs to obtain a work permit before taking up employment.
A fine of US$28,000 is imposed on anyone found to be working illegally and the company is also liable for a fine.
Home Affairs spokesman Mantshele Tau said SAFA submitted Parreira's immigration papers only this week and said Parreira would not be chased out as he was on a visitors' permit.
Parreira, who signed a four year deal with SAFA, is undaunted by the task of transforming the Bafana Bafana, currently languishing in 69th position in the Fifa world rankings, into a force to be reckoned with by the time the country hosts the 2010 World Cup.
SOURCE: BBC Sport | | South Africa will confound skeptics – Thabo Mbeki |  South Africa president Thabo Mbeki has vowed that his country will confound international skeptics by meeting all its deadlines and stage a well-organised World Cup in 2010.
Speaking at a workshop attended by senior officials from football's world governing body Fifa, Mbeki said his government would spare no effort to ensure the tournament passes off smoothly when it is staged in Africa for the first time.
"There is absolutely no reason why 2010 will not surprise the sceptics not only about the prowess of the millions of African footballers, but also about Africa's capacity successfully to provide an outstanding home for a global tournament of universal joy and celebration," said Mbeki in Cape Town on Tuesday.
"Each and every one of us will spare no effort to ensure that everything necessary for a truly successful (tournament) is done on time, and preferably ahead of schedule, meeting all the specifications set by Fifa and all the things expected us by the billions of football fans across the world."
Fifa president Sepp Blatter voiced concerns last month that construction and renovation of the 10 stadia due to stage matches had still to begin in earnest, saying he had "yet to see the pickaxes and spades needed to start the work".
German football legend Franz Beckenbauer, the chief organiser of this year's finals, also warned recently that the tournament in South Africa was "beset by big problems".
However Danny Jordaan, the head of the 2010 local organising committee insisted last week that South Africa was "well ahead of plans based on a timeframe set by us and Fifa."
Mbeki is due to stand down a year before the finals but he said that a successful tournament would be his government's main priority.
"I would like to assure the Fifa delegation that is with us today that our government and the entirety of our people have dedicated the period up to 2010 to the resounding success of the World Cup," he said.
SOURCE: BBC Sport | | South Africa to train 35,000 new police for World Cup | South Africa plans to expand its police force by some 35,000 ahead of the 2010 soccer World Cup, conscious that high levels of crime could deter fans or mar the tournament.
The country will also train additional railway police, with 5,000 new officers set to be deployed on the rail network starting next year, Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk told reporters on a visit to London.
Critics have questioned whether South Africa can provide stadiums and hotels for the nearly 500,000 foreigners and some three million locals expected at the event and protect them from the country's high levels of violent crime.
South Africa plans to have 187,000 police working by 2010, up from some 152,000 now. Van Schalkwyk said fighting crime, particularly on public transport, was a challenge the government 'was not going to run away from'.
'The concern about the public railway system is a very valid one. Crime has historically been a problem,' he said.
In South Africa, Hangwani Mulaudzi, spokesperson for the Ministry for Safety and Security, said all the police on patrol during the World Cup would be locals and the force's expansion was part of an ongoing plan to boost security.
'We are members of Interpol and as members we would expect advice on some issues that we feel are not up to scratch,' he told Reuters. 'Obviously we exchange with them ... ideas, intelligence.'
British police officers patrolled in Germany during this year's World Cup in an effort to curb English soccer hooliganism.
England's fan group said there were more than 315,000 England fans present in Germany's venue cities for England games. Despite those numbers, there were few disturbances.
Van Schalkwyk said South Africa expected to receive fewer English fans than Germany, given the distance.
CULLED from SOCCERNET.com | | Mijailovic banned for Benni abuse | 
Uefa have banned Wisla Krakow defender Nikola Mijailovic for five games after he racially abused Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy.
Rovers' 2-1 Uefa Cup win in Poland earlier this month was overshadow by complaints from the Premiership club that McCarthy was the subject of racial slurs.
The Football Association asked Uefa to look at the claims and their Control and Disciplinary Body opened an investigation into the allegations.
Uefa have now found the defender guilty and acted quickly to hit Mijailovic with a five game ban.
The 24-year-old will now be forced to sit out Krakow's next five European matches.
Mijailovic has until the end of Monday to appeal the decision.
SOURCE: skysports.com | | 2010: South Africa World Cup preparations on track: organisers |  Organisers of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa have denied that preparations are behind schedule, insisting they have made more progress than previous hosts Germany, at the same stage of preparations.
"Comparatively, we are ahead of where Germany was at this stage," local organising committee chief executive Danny Jordaan told a press conference.
"We are on track, well ahead of plans based on a timeframe set by us and FIFA. We are comfortable when we say we are on schedule."
FIFA president Sepp Blatter voiced concerns last month that construction and renovation of the 10 stadia due to stage matches had still to begin in earnest, saying he had "yet to see the pickaxes and spades needed to start the work".
But Jordaan said the Soccer City stadium complex in Johannesburg's Soweto township, the venue for the final and opening ceremony of the tournament, was on course to be completed in 30 months' time.
"We do keep in touch on a daily basis with members of FIFA World Cup organising committe and give them monthly reports, and if there is anything wrong, they will know.
"It is therefore impossible that we can say things that FIFA does not know. They are confident and are happy with the progress we made so far," added Jordaan.
While construction of the Soccer City stadium itself has yet to begin, offices for FIFA within the complex are nearing completion.Chairman of the organising committe, Irvin Khoza, said he was confident that stadia construction will start "early January or February".
"Our timeframe is realistic and come 2008, some of the stadia will be ready for the Confederation Cup to be hosted in the country," he told the press conference in Johannesburg.
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SOURCE: BBC Sport | | Beckenbauer sorry for indiscretions about S. Africa | 
Franz Beckenbauer has apologised for the confusion surrounding his comments about South Africa's ability to host the 2010 World Cup.
Beckenbauer caused a stir last month when he reportedly said the tournament was "beset by big problems."
His comments came amid concerns over the state of stadium construction and security plans in South Africa.
But Irvin Khoza, chairman of the local organizing committee, released a letter from Beckenbauer on Tuesday.
"I am very sorry that these statements were falsely portrayed and I shall do everything in my power to support the World Cup in South Africa 2010," said Beckenbauer, head of the organising committee of this year's World Cup in Germany.
In the letter addressed to his South African counterpart, Danny Jordaan, Beckenbauer said he was surprised at the outcry and that he had been responding to media reports that there are certain difficulties relating to stadia construction.
"At no point did I mention that Germany could be a substitute organiser.
"On the contrary, it is my own and my colleagues' understanding that it is most important that the upcoming World Cup in South Africa is a success."
Khoza, speaking after a two-day meeting of the organising committee's board, reaffirmed South Africa's preparedness to host the event, which will bring in an estimated 350,000 foreign visitors to the month-long tournament.
"I am confident in terms of our program that we will meet our commitments," he said.
Khoza also said a proposal had been made to Fifa to allow neighbouring countries to be used as base camps by participating teams.
"This will allow us to make it a truly African World Cup and spread the economic benefits around," he said.
SOURCE: BBC Sport | | Jordaan fires salvo at Beckenbauer |  South Africa is ahead of schedule and will be ready for the 2010 World Cup, according to a leading official.
The local organising committee's chief executive officer Danny Jordaan on Thursday dismissed claims that preparations were lagging behind schedule.
His comments came after criticism in recent weeks about South Africa's readiness to stage the tournament.
German legend Franz Beckenbauer this week claimed that the 2010 tournament was "beset by big problems".
Fifa president Sepp Blatter also revealed last week that he planned to visit South Africa shortly "to fire up the organising committee."
But Jordaan dismissed Beckenbauer's comments, saying his criticism was devoid of detail and there was no need to press panic button.
"He is not telling us what the problem is... We will write him a letter so that he can explain what the problem was about," said Jordaan.
Blatter also voiced concerns that construction and renovation of the 10 stadia due to stage the matches had yet to begin in earnest, saying that he had "yet to see the pickaxes and spades needed to start the work."
Jordaan, who said no firm date had been arranged for a meeting with Blatter, deflected suggestions that the stadia would not be ready for kick-off.
"We have the stadia, the infrastructure is in place and we also have the backing of Fifa and the government," he said.
"All of us will be working towards the success of the tournament."
Senior municipal officials in the nine host cities accused the South African government and lawmakers last month of hampering their preparations.
The officials told a parliamentary committee they were still in the dark about the amount of money they would receive for the tournament.
They also complained that legislation on tendering contracts threatened to derail their organisation efforts.
SOURCE: BBC Sport | | Gautrain will be done 'well in time' for 2010 | The Gautrain link between OR Tambo International Airport and Sandton will be finished in time for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa said at a sod-turning ceremony, last Thursday.
"Bombela International Consortium has given me their assurance that we will be well in time for the Soccer World Cup - a promise I'm going to keep them to," Shilowa said at Alexandra in Johannesburg.
Bombela and the provincial government signed the 30 000-page construction contract on Thursday.
"Our first objective is to build a world-class high speed railway system for Gauteng," said Bombela's chief executive Denis Bouvette, who added that the full construction period for the project would be 54 months.
"However, we have agreed... to open a partial system from Johannesburg International Airport to Sandton and Midrand after 45 months," he said.
The Gautrain Rapid Rail Link, with a maximum speed of 160km/h, will enable commuters to travel between the airport and Sandton in 14 minutes.
The second phase includes sections between Johannesburg Park Station and Sandton, Midrand, and Hatfield in Pretoria.
This will render the Gautrain the world's second biggest public-private partnership, said Shilowa.
Once completed, the Gautrain will link 10 stations over 80km of rail as well as having created a number of jobs and opportunities for skills transfer.
"It is estimated that Gautrain will create 93,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs during construction and more than 3000 per year once operation commences," said Shilowa.
Its contribution to the Gauteng Growth and Development Strategy will be between 0,7 percent and one percent, he said.
Transport Minister Jeff Radebe, echoed the premier's sentiment that the Gautrain would be an economic asset.
"Where we stand today the construction site of Marlboro Station will soon be a hub of activity... an economic business sector," he said. CULLED from SAFA.net |
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