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Khoza roped in to help with Nations Cup

After spearheading the successful hosting of the 2010 Fifa World Cup, Irvin Khoza has been appointed by the Confederation of African Football to form part of their delegation for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations finals.

The influential South African soccer administrator was this week appointed special adviser of the CAF secretariat of the tournament.

The appointment of the Premier Soccer League chairman was made in Cairo on Monday by CAF president Issa Hayatou, who will serve as chairman of the organising committee of the 16-nation continental soccer spectacle.

Khoza will work closely with the secretariat of this tournament, which will kick off on January 19 with a game between hosts Bafana Bafana and Cape Verde at FNB Stadium.

"Dr Khoza has been tasked to advise CAF around the tournament, dealing with issues with the day-to-day events, logistics, accommodation, security, transport and competition," said a source, who is close to the Local Organising Committee.

"One of the main reasons why CAF appointed Dr Khoza is that he is familiar with the South African football environment and did a great job as chairman of the Local Organising Committee of the 2010 Fifa World Cup finals. Issa knows him very well and they worked together during the World Cup and other competitions of Fifa where Dr Khoza served as a general coordinator of various matches."

Khoza could not be reached for comment.

Three other South Africans are part of the CAF organising committee. They are CAF executive committee member and former Safa president Molefi Oliphant, current Safa boss Kirsten Nematandani and vice-president Danny Jordaan.

Another Safa vice-president, Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana, has also been roped into the organising committee by virtue of being chairman of the LOC, which is led by former National Sports Council boss Mvuzo Mbebe as its chief executive officer.

At its executive meeting in Cairo on Monday, CAF said it is confident South Africa will deliver on its mandate to host a successful tournament where some of the big-name stars like Kagisho Dikgacoi (South Africa), Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast), John Obi Mikel (Nigeria), Samba Diakite (Mali), Asamoah Gyan (Ghana) and Chris Katongo (Zambia) will be seen in action.

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