African bid slow to get started

[ursula]

Here's a timetable as proposed by FIFA:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/world_cup/2354373.stm

[FunGuy]

Originally posted by 3rdSt.Jim
Any African country is going to have an extremely difficult time hosting the WC in 2010. Anyone who claims this is comparable to South America is extremly deluded. Despite recent economic problems in the region, South America remains a relativbely wealthy continent with a very strong footballing infrastructure.

Honestly, you can't say that about Africa. The bid, likely to be heavily weighted towards South Africa and Morocco, offers two extremely poor choices. The instability of both areas does not guarantee a good WC environment in 2010. I feel that FIFA will need a backup, most likely the US or Mexico, if an African World Cup is awarded simply because no one can predict the political situation in either country until a year before the tournament will be hosted. Not good chances, in my opinion.

FIFA has pulled out of hosting World Cups in countries before, they'll be willing to do it again. I honestly hope that South Africa (as the leading contender in Africa) will be able to provide a modern and safe World Cup, but if they can't...I have no problem moving the tournament to a country that can, and likely one that can within a year's notice which means UEFA or CONCACAF.

In what way are either South Africa and morroco unstable?, and for your info, south africa has a GDP per captia, equal with brazil, and only argentina( pre 2000), in south america had a higher GDP, But i now believe South Africa has a higher GDP per captia because of the collaspe of Argentina's economy.

[gabe]

Let me go on record and say that I'm am not a racist, but i think 2010 shouldnt be even thought about in Africa. I have nothing against the continent, but it isnt fair for us in the Western Hemisphere. When was the last World cup over here? USA in 94!!!!! that was so long ago. you look at history there was always a pattern: 78 Argentina, 82 i believe Spain, 86 Mexico, 90 Italy, 94 USA, 98 France. i'm telling you, Fifa should have stuck to this Western Hemisphere-Europe shifts because that's where you're guaranteed to get a good population. but after 98, in Asia 02(we get robbed) then its Germany 06(reasonable-its Europe's turn) now '10 in Africa???? the hell! when is brazil, argentina, or mexico going to get a cup again, somewhere on this side of the world for crying out loud! its alot easier for me to go somewhere here, i'm telling you if 2014 isnt in the Western Hemisphere, i'm going to be one angry old guy

[Dune]

Originally posted by gabe
Let me go on record and say that I'm am not a racist, but i think 2010 shouldnt be even thought about in Africa. I have nothing against the continent, but it isnt fair for us in the Western Hemisphere. When was the last World cup over here? USA in 94!!!!! that was so long ago.

And the last time Africa had a World Cup was...?

[eldiablito]

Originally posted by SportBoy321
I can't believe they are going through with their plan to rotate by continent. Dumb idea if you ask me. Oh well I guess if Africa has to get it I woud go with a Morocco-Egypt joint bid.

Speaking of dumb ideas, have you checked out a map recently? Morocco and Egypt co-hosting is like Portugal co-hosting Euro2004 with Turkey. (except Portugal might actually be closer to Turkey, than Morocco is to Egypt)

[ursula]

Here's a couple of articles from the SA press about what's happening:

And...they're off! Egypt, Morocco, Libya, Nigeria and South Africa (http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=19&art_id=ct20021108201015974S320112&set_id=6)

SAFA re-enters the fray (http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=19&art_id=ct20021029213731552S100352&set_id=6)

Egypt deals in (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/2372547.stm)

No deal between SA and Egypt (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/2376947.stm)

[Crowdie]

South Africa can certainly host the WC. They have hosted a Rugby Union WC and are currently hosting the Cricket WC.

Crowdie.

[nicodemus]

Originally posted by Crowdie
South Africa can certainly host the WC. They have hosted a Rugby Union WC and are currently hosting the Cricket WC.
That's like comparing hosting the Super Bowl to hosting the Olympics.

I hope they prove me wrong, but it just seems like the 2010 Cup could be a friggin' disaster. I can't believe Nigeria is even wasting their time and money with a bid. They couldn't run a beauty pageant without a riot with multiple fatalities. If they are considered one of five front runners, I can't imagine how bad it would be in other places.

[DoyleG]

The riots in Nigeria were started by an idiotic remark in a newspaper which related Islam to the beauty pagent.

South America has not only huge problems on an economic scale. The infastructure in Brazil and Argentina is in a worse condition. Being able to travel has great difficulties. The poor reception of the WCC in 2000 didn't help Brazil's couse as well.

South Africa was developed along European lines. The aparthied years, ironically, provided the country with very suitable infastructure. The country is suitable for hosting the World Cup. If FIFA had any doubts, they wouldn't have considered Africa in the first place.

[nicodemus]

Originally posted by DoyleG
The riots in Nigeria were started by an idiotic remark in a newspaper which related Islam to the beauty pagent.
thank you for strengthening my argument.

[DoyleG]

Originally posted by nicodemus
thank you for strengthening my argument.

Your argument was about money.

[nicodemus]

Originally posted by DoyleG
Your argument was about money. I was commenting on how incredibly unstable and dangerous Nigeria is.

[DoyleG]

Originally posted by nicodemus
I was commenting on how incredibly unstable and dangerous Nigeria is.

So is every other country in the world.

[thepremierleague]

Originally posted by nicodemus
I was commenting on how incredibly unstable and dangerous Nigeria is.

You're talking crap.

It's sometimes safer to walk down a street in Lagos than London.

While Nigeria's government isn't stable by any means, It's no more dangerous than many places in Eastern Europe etc.

Nigeria is a huge and divided country, the most populous in Africa. The riots were caused by the muslim north. The mostly christian south is a totally different area. The World Cup would not be held in the north.

I don't think Nigeria IS stable or safe enough yet for a World Cup, but it is not that dangerous compared to many places like downtown LA.


It cracks me up when some Americans comment on how dangerous other countries are whilst living in one of the most dangerous and povety stricken countries in the world.

[tpmazembe]

Originally posted by n00bie deluxe
BLA BLA BLA...Africa can't do it...GLOOM...DOOM...

They're gonna do it, and the games are gonna be great. I'm betting on it.
:)

I'll second that.....I bet it will be one of the best to date. The sheer joy of the local population at hosting the event, combined with their humanity, will be contagious and captivate the world. I'll go without reservation.

Its amazing how people are looking for reasons not to share the wealth. Africa will be ready by 2010; and if not, someone will fill in at the first sign of trouble ('86 was supposed to be in Colombia was it not?). Its not a dumb idea at all.

[nicodemus]

Originally posted by thepremierleague
It cracks me up when some Americans comment on how dangerous other countries are whilst living in one of the most dangerous and povety stricken countries in the world. One of my best friends lived in Lagos for three years and had all kinds of negative, dangerous experiences.

[thepremierleague]

Originally posted by nicodemus
One of my best friends lived in Lagos for three years and had all kinds of negative, dangerous experiences.

Wow, dangerous and negative experiences, in a city as well! :rolleyes:

Find me a big city that is not full of crime. Lagos is the norm, not the exception.

I'm not saying it's definitely safe enough for a World Cup, but c'mon.

[nicodemus]

Originally posted by thepremierleague
Wow, dangerous and negative experiences, in a city as well! :rolleyes:

Find me a big city that is not full of crime. Lagos is the norm, not the exception.

I'm not saying it's definitely safe enough for a World Cup, but c'mon. i think we're arguing the same point here in a way. also, i'm not saying other big cities aren't dangerous

[thepremierleague]

Basically Nigeria is a possibility, but still has question marks.

However, If Mexico can hold World Cups, then South Africa can that's for damn sure.

[nicodemus]

Originally posted by thepremierleague
Basically Nigeria is a possibility, but still has question marks. maybe i've just been listening to too much Fela Kuti lately :D

However, If Mexico can hold World Cups, then South Africa can that's for damn sure. this is true.