South Africa announces bid for 2010 World Cup

Danny Jordaan, who headed the unsuccessful South African bid for the 2006 World Cup, said Sunday that the South African Football Association had decided to bid again for the World Cup.

This follows reports from FIFA that the 2010 World Cup will be held in Africa and that bids from that continent were the only ones that would be allowed.

Jordaan warned though that the situation regarding the world controlling body was not yet clear, as they had not confirmed that the 2010 World Cup would definitely be held in Africa.

"There have been reports, but nothing has been signed and sealed yet," he said.

South Africa controversially lost the bid to host the 2006 World Cup by a single vote to Germany after the Oceania delegate on the Fifa executive decided to abstain from voting in the final round.

Had he cast his vote for South Africa, Fifa President Sepp Blatter, who had come out in support of the South African bid, would have had the deciding vote.

Jordaan said the bidding committee would be the same as for the 2006 bid, with Irvin Khoza acting as chairman. Jordaan is to be chief executive officer.

He said that there would be three official launches of the bid. "We will launch the bid officially in May in England, then sometime between May and December in Africa and on the 16th December, to coincide with the Nelson Mandela Inauguration Match, in South Africa."

According to Khoza, the bid would change its focus this time to ensure that more time was spent talking to the role players. "Last time, we had a very open bid, focussing much of our attention on our public appearance. This time around, we are going to spend more with the delegates who take the decision."

South Africa is considered sure to be favourites if Fifa decides to hold the 2010 World Cup in Africa. Their main rivals are expected to be Morocco, who have thrice unsuccessfully bid to host the World Cup. Other possible candidates are Egypt and Nigeria.

(kil/dpa)