We're Still Chasing 2010 World Cup Teams - Fani

MQONDISI DUBE
Staff Writer | Monday January 11, 2010 00:00

 

Despite half of the 32 teams confirming that they would set base in South Africa, Fani said BFA's campaign to woo teams could not be termed a failure yet.

'We are still in discussion with some teams. Some work has been done and whether it is enough, that will be revealed later,' Fani said. He conceded that their campaign has been dealt a heavy blow as South African provinces are also vying for the same teams.

Southern African countries are competing with provinces in South Africa. Facilities do not compare well as South Africa is ahead. As a result, most teams prefer South Africa while others will go to Europe and then fly direct to South Africa,' Fani said from Johannesburg on Saturday.

He said Botswana was at a disadvantage because most facilities were still under construction. Most countries might be left licking their wounds if efforts to attract World Cup teams failed to bear fruit. Governments and the private sector in various countries have channelled substantial funds and resources into sprucing up existing facilities while new stadiums have been built.

But no country has thus far managed to convince a World Cup team to set base on its territory. The attack on the Togolese team on the eve of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals' kick-off in Luanda, Angola, has put a huge dent on the country's ability to attract a World Cup team to its shores. Subsequently, confidence on other southern African countries might have been deflated by the incident, which saw gunmen open fire on the bus carrying the Togo team.