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high praise for SA

Manchester City's Robinho, left, celebrates scoring against Blackburn Rovers with teammate Elano during their English Premier League soccer match at The City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester, England, Saturday May 2, 2009. (AP Photo/Jon Super) ** NO INTERNET/MOBILE USAGE WITHOUT FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION PREMIER LEAGUE (FAPL) LICENCE. CALL +44 (0) 20 7864 9121 or EMAIL info@football-dataco.com FOR DETAILS **
Manchester City's Robinho, left, celebrates scoring against Blackburn Rovers with teammate Elano during their English Premier League soccer match at The City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester, England, Saturday May 2, 2009. (AP Photo/Jon Super) ** NO INTERNET/MOBILE USAGE WITHOUT FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION PREMIER LEAGUE (FAPL) LICENCE. CALL +44 (0) 20 7864 9121 or EMAIL info@football-dataco.com FOR DETAILS **

All reports by Ramatsiyi Moholoa

All reports by Ramatsiyi Moholoa

Popular English soccer administrators Gary Cook and Mark Hughes have joined the ever-growing chorus of global icons predicting a roaringly successful 2010 World Cup.

Cook, the executive chairman of the big-spending Manchester City, said they were impressed by the world-class facilities in South Africa.

Accompanied by coach Hughes, Cook was here for the launch of the 2009 Vodacom Challenge where they will come up against Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.

"You are the hosts of the 2010 World Cup, everybody is watching your country," said Cook. "We know that you have world-class facilities and we are looking forward to playing on them. There is no doubt that the 2010 World Cup will be an excellent event here.

"Your organising committee led by Dr [Irvin] Khoza as chairman have been doing a great job to prepare for the tournament."

Cook said they would arrive in South Africa early to launch their new kit sponsorship for the new season. They will wear the new kit for the first time against Pirates on July 18.

He said they would use the Challenge to lay a solid foundation to challenge for the Barclays English Premier League title in their country.

Players like Robinho, Benjani Mwaruwaru, Elano, Craig Bellamy and Shaun Wright-Phillips are some of the stars City The Sky Blues will bring to South Africa.

Two years ago, City's big brothers Manchester United were in South Africa to compete in this tournament and went on to win the league in England.

Hughes, who used to coach Aaron Mokoena and Benni McCarthy at Blackburn Rovers, is also excited about playing in the country hosting the next World Cup.

"I arrived here this morning [on Monday] but the feeling is already great. The whole world is now focusing on South Africa because of the 2010 World Cup," he said.

"We are looking forward to the trip in South Africa in July and playing in a tournament against Pirates and Chiefs."

Tickets for the Challenge will go on sale on May 27 at Computicket and Shoprite-Checkers stores throughout the country, ranging from R45 to R150.

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