6th July, 2010
South African 2010 FIFA World Cup Local Organising Committee, LOC CEO, Danny Jordaan, in this interview with Tunde Oyedele in Johannesburg, gives the panacea for a better future for teams from Nigeria and rest of Africa.
FIFA appears pleased with your countryâ€
Iâ€
There were security concerns in South Africa before FIFA gave your country the go ahead?
Oh yes, but everyone has seen it now that our country and indeed Africa is not as dangerous as the world thinks. Our security operatives have given a good account of themselves and Iâ€
As the CEO of the first World Cup to be staged in Africa, will you say the six teams, including Bafana Bafana gave the continent a good representation?
Ah! I donâ€
What did you see as Africaâ€
Yeah, Nigeria, South Africa and other teams from Africa must focus on a plan that will see them invest in youth and their own coaches. Generally, Africa must realise that it is no longer time for prayers and hope but for a clear-cut plan of how to prepare in the next four years to make an impact at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. It is no longer time for praying and hoping but time for a clear-cut plan that will run for the next four years and culminate in the continent doing well at the 2014 World Cup.
Donâ€
I think so, all the countries that made it to the last eight, including Ghana, had previously done very well at junior international level and were mostly coached by local coaches. The fact remains that well-trained and suitably qualified coaches and well-developed players are the answer to the continentâ€
How do you see the climax of Ghanaâ€
I must confess, that clash was determined by fate. I congratulate Ghana for getting to the quarterfinals. It is just unfortunate that football is so unpredictable. It was fate which saw Asamoah Gyan, who took the penalty and played the ball against the crossbar. This is the same player who had already scored twice from the spot before in this tournament.
There are fears FIFA may be forced to reduce Africaâ€
Well, I think issues of number sometimes count a little as Europe had 13 representatives at the beginning of the tournament but are now left with three among the last four going to the semi final from Tuesday (today). Conmebol are left with three out of the five which started, with Chile having been eliminated by Brazil, Concacaf had three who are all out, and Asiaâ€
Can we say the great Brazilian legend, Pele got it wrong when he said an African team would win the World Cup before year 2000 or at this yearâ€
I believe Pele knows nothing about football. His analysis always turn out to be wrong. If you want to win a title you have to listen to Pele and then do the opposite. Africaâ€