THOUGH we lost in the last minutes against Brazil in the semifinals we should rightfully congratulate them.
THOUGH we lost in the last minutes against Brazil in the semifinals we should rightfully congratulate them.
Our steadily improving performance shows why some of our fans need to understand that it takes time for a soccer squad to gel.
Instead of entertaining some of the destructive and disruptive calls for the coach and captain to be fired whenever we lose or draw a match, our national coach Joel Santana has to be given a chance and the support to continue building a solid squad for 2010.
With the exception of some problems (which would have existed anywhere) the opening and closing ceremonies and the matches played - some of which I attended - allow me to say without any fear of contradiction that the 2009 Confederation Cup has been a resounding success.
This was said by CAF and Fifa even before the end of the competition. Patriotic nations generally support their national teams in good and bad times.
Some of our fans are bad losers. Some have an amazing inferiority complex and surprisingly even thought we should not have been granted the right to host the 2010 World Cup.
These South Africans usually spend their time saying bad things about our country without offering constructive suggestions on what to do with the problems they raise.
They continue to speak about our country in the third person. Instead of using the term "we" they continue to use "they".
As patriotic citizens we all have a responsibility to unite to ensure a successful 2010 World Cup. Working with all soccer supporters clubs and community organisations we can increase attendance levels and improve good behaviour at the stadiums even further. I am confident if we all work harder, we will succeed.
Hope Papo, ANC Gauteng Provincial Legislature
We must all support 2010
THOUGH we lost in the last minutes against Brazil in the semifinals we should rightfully congratulate them.
THOUGH we lost in the last minutes against Brazil in the semifinals we should rightfully congratulate them.
Our steadily improving performance shows why some of our fans need to understand that it takes time for a soccer squad to gel.
Instead of entertaining some of the destructive and disruptive calls for the coach and captain to be fired whenever we lose or draw a match, our national coach Joel Santana has to be given a chance and the support to continue building a solid squad for 2010.
With the exception of some problems (which would have existed anywhere) the opening and closing ceremonies and the matches played - some of which I attended - allow me to say without any fear of contradiction that the 2009 Confederation Cup has been a resounding success.
This was said by CAF and Fifa even before the end of the competition. Patriotic nations generally support their national teams in good and bad times.
Some of our fans are bad losers. Some have an amazing inferiority complex and surprisingly even thought we should not have been granted the right to host the 2010 World Cup.
These South Africans usually spend their time saying bad things about our country without offering constructive suggestions on what to do with the problems they raise.
They continue to speak about our country in the third person. Instead of using the term "we" they continue to use "they".
As patriotic citizens we all have a responsibility to unite to ensure a successful 2010 World Cup. Working with all soccer supporters clubs and community organisations we can increase attendance levels and improve good behaviour at the stadiums even further. I am confident if we all work harder, we will succeed.
Hope Papo, ANC Gauteng Provincial Legislature