THE Confederations Cup has been an unqualified success - and that not only on the football pitches. We salute the champions and all the teams that made this the exciting tournament it was.
THE Confederations Cup has been an unqualified success - and that not only on the football pitches. We salute the champions and all the teams that made this the exciting tournament it was.
The tournament had it all. Great individual players, shock results and new heroes who could possibly go on to become global icons.
For home fans the two-week tournament not only proved that we will be ready to host the 31 countries expected here in about 11 months, but gave South Africans much to be proud of.
The local team might not have won the cup but it united South Africans across colour and class lines in a manner last seen when we hosted the Africa Cup of Nations in 1996.
The swift arrest, conviction and sentencing of the men who attempted to break into the Brazilian team's hotel room also showed that our criminal justice systems could be efficient if the authorities wanted.
The taxi industry too proved it could be relied on. Ferrying between the park-and-ride sites and stadiums with only a few hitches, showed us what is possible.
It is too early to tell what the economic spin-offs of the tournament were, but one certainty is that businesses must now have a fair idea of what to expect come June next year.
In all, the Confederations Cup proved that South Africa is indeed alive with possibilities. Our appetite has been whetted. We cannot wait for the full menu that is the Fifa World Cup.
We are ready for 2010
THE Confederations Cup has been an unqualified success - and that not only on the football pitches. We salute the champions and all the teams that made this the exciting tournament it was.
THE Confederations Cup has been an unqualified success - and that not only on the football pitches. We salute the champions and all the teams that made this the exciting tournament it was.
The tournament had it all. Great individual players, shock results and new heroes who could possibly go on to become global icons.
For home fans the two-week tournament not only proved that we will be ready to host the 31 countries expected here in about 11 months, but gave South Africans much to be proud of.
The local team might not have won the cup but it united South Africans across colour and class lines in a manner last seen when we hosted the Africa Cup of Nations in 1996.
The swift arrest, conviction and sentencing of the men who attempted to break into the Brazilian team's hotel room also showed that our criminal justice systems could be efficient if the authorities wanted.
The taxi industry too proved it could be relied on. Ferrying between the park-and-ride sites and stadiums with only a few hitches, showed us what is possible.
It is too early to tell what the economic spin-offs of the tournament were, but one certainty is that businesses must now have a fair idea of what to expect come June next year.
In all, the Confederations Cup proved that South Africa is indeed alive with possibilities. Our appetite has been whetted. We cannot wait for the full menu that is the Fifa World Cup.