Africa and South Africa need to grab a hold of the opportunity presented by the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ and make sure they use it to develop the game or it will be a wasted opportunity says Portuguese national coach Carlos Queiroz.
Speaking from SAFA House in Johannesburg today, where he was visiting Chief Executive Officer of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa, Dr Danny Jordaan, Queiroz said hosting the tournament could mean “everything or nothing” for football on the continent.
“It can mean everything because this is the first World Cup in Africa and you can call attention to what the real meaning of football is in Africa. But it can mean nothing if you are not able to use this opportunity to make football grow up in Africa. Because if you don’t use this, you lose a great opportunity to develop the youth, coaching education, football facilities and I think this World Cup deserves to be an opportunity for football in Africa.”
The coach is in South Africa to scout possible locations for the Portugal side’s base camp during the 2010 FIFA World Cup and to attend the Final Draw in Cape Town on 4 December.
Portugal qualified for the FIFA World Cup after beating Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-0 in the second match of their European group qualifying playoff leg.
The Mozambican born former South African national coach said he was impressed with what he had seen on his trip so far and had no doubt South Africa would host a successful tournament in 2010.
“I have seen the new stadium (Soccer City) and the facilities here at SAFA House and I remember the good old days of FNB Stadium (now Soccer City), which is a beautiful memory but this is the sign of modern times, this is the future.”
South Africa has a large Portuguese population with an estimated half a million first and second generation Portuguese living in the country and Queiroz said he was sure the national team would enjoy huge support at the World Cup because of this.
“I believe it will be like playing at home because the support of our community will be huge. I believe the Portuguese in South Africa will support our team as our fans support the team when we are playing at home.”