| You are in: Football: Africa |
| Monday, 8 April, 2002, 15:14 GMT 16:14 UK SA to decide on 2006 Nations Cup bid ![]() South Africa could withdraw their bid for "strategic reasons" Danny Jordaan, head of South Africa's 2010 World Cup bid committee, said a decision would be made on 20 April as to whether they are still interested in hosting the 2006 Nations Cup. "We will await closure from Caf on the countries which have submitted applications to host the 2006 Nations Cup before making our decision," said Jordaan.
A decision would also be made on whether the country will go ahead with plans to bid for next year's Confederations Cup. Safa have indicated that they would withdraw their bid for "strategic reasons" in an effort to secure the support of Egypt for their 2010 World Cup bid. South Africa's withdrawal would leave Egypt as favourites to host the Nations Cup. Reliable sources within Safa have revealed they are wary of the possibility of Egypt and Morocco launching a joint bid to host the 2010 World Cup. With the 2006 Nations Cup doubling up as a qualifier for the World Cup, Safa may want to ease Bafana Bafana's path towards qualification for the global fiesta. World Cup "We will be meeting with Caf President Issa Hayatou as well as with Fifa President Sepp Blatter later this month. Issues surrounding our bidding for major international tournaments will be discussed," Jordaan said. Safa is looking at the possibility of hosting next year's Confederations Cup in an effort to sway the opinions of influential countries and figures within Fifa. A successful hosting of the eight-team tournament would prove to doubters that the country has the facilities and infrastructure to host the World Cup. Meanwhile, Blatter, who is on a visit to southern Africa reiterated his call that Africa will host the World Cup in 2010. "It will be Africa's World Cup in 2010, the campaigning will begin in 2003 and a 24-member Fifa executive committee will make a decision in 2004," Blatter said. | See also: 11 Jan 02 | World Football 03 Apr 02 | Africa 03 Apr 02 | Africa Top Africa stories now: Links to more Africa stories are at the foot of the page. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Links to more Africa stories |
![]() | ||
------------------------------------------------------------ BBC News >> | BBC Weather >> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- © MMIII | News Sources | Privacy |