By IANS
Johannesburg : German football legend Franz Beckenbauer was “very, very impressed” with South Africa’s preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup after visiting the construction site of the new football stadium in Cape Town.
Beckenbauer, a FIFA executive member, is in South Africa for the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), reports FIFA’s official website.
Along with FIFA World Cup organising committee chairman Issa Hayatou and chief executive officer Danny Jordaan, Beckenbauer Sunday visited the site of the picturesque Greenpoint Stadium on the slopes of Table Mountain and alongside Cape Town’s Table Bay.
“Cape Town is one of the most exciting and beautiful cities in the world,” he said.
“The setting could not be better. And South Africa is a wonderful country. The Greenpoint Stadium is in a stunning location, underneath Table Mountain and with a view of the famous Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. I am very very impressed with the construction going on in Cape Town.
“It’s fantastic what the people in South Africa are doing in preparing themselves for the World Cup in 2010,” added Beckenbauer, who was part of the FIFA World Cup as player in 1974 and as coach in 1990.
Speaking after the site visit, Beckenbauer said he was extremely confident South Africa would be ready to host the global football showpiece in 2010.
“I am definitely convinced that the 2010 World Cup will be a success. It’s the biggest opportunity for South Africa,” said Beckenbauer. “The whole world will be watching this country in 2010. And as far as I can see they’re on time and I have no doubt all the stadiums will be ready before the World Cup.”
Germany is still basking in the success of the FIFA World Cup last year in which Beckenbauer played such a major role, but he advised South Africans to put their own stamp to what will be the first World Cup on the African continent.
“The best thing is not to copy the German World Cup,” he advised.
“South Africa must ensure it’s an African World Cup, with all the continent’s culture and flair. I am sure it will be a great success,” said Beckenbauer, who was also joined in South Africa by German organising committee vice-presidents Horst Schmidt and Fedor Radmann.