By Xinhua
Johannesburg : FIFA president Sepp Blatter has expressed confidence in South Africa's preparations for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
During his visit to Cape Town, one of nine hosting cities, Blatter Tuesday said the preparatory work was on track, the South African Press Association (SAPA) reported.
"I am a happy FIFA president… Everything is on track," Blatter was quoted as saying after his meeting with South African President Thabo Mbeki in Cape Town.
He said it had been a challenge to bring the competition to the African continent because it was very difficult to convince international organisations to have confidence and trust in Africa.
"We have to go to Africa, because we have to revolt and make justice to African football."
The head of the international soccer governing body was on a two-day visit to South Africa that included meetings with local officials and members of the FIFA local organising committee, as well as venue inspections.
Visiting the site of Cape Town's Green Point stadium, Blatter said he had no doubt that the controversy-ridden venue would also be ready in time, the SAPA reported.
Renovation of the stadium has been dogged by planning disputes for months before it officially started recently.
Blatter rubbished worries that crime would affect the World Cup. "Go to any big city in the world and you will find the same problems," he said.
He also announced that a special match between South Africa's national squad and an international side would be played in Cape Town on July 18 to commemorate former president Nelson Mandela's 89th birthday, the SAPA said.
"I'm sure it will be a spectacular match and I'm sure Bafana Bafana will field a good team, because for the time being, it's the only team qualified for the World Cup 2010," he joked.
On Monday, Blatter visited the Soccer City Stadium in Soweto outside Johannesburg that will host the opening and closing matches, where he declared "nothing but god" could impede the staging of the World Cup in South Africa.