Vodacom Challenge proves SA is ready for 2010

The success of the Vodacom Challenge which saw Manchester United facing off against two South African teams, proved the country was ready to host the FIFA 2010 World Cup, the Gauteng provincial government says.

And Premier Mbhazima Shilowa has indicated that in the years leading up to 2010, other top international teams would be brought to the country to play against Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates to "create a sustainable event that will be recognized on the local and international soccer calendar".

The Gauteng Provincial Government, Vodacom, ABSA, SA Airways, SABC Sport, Daily Sun and Kick-off magazine were responsible for bringing the English Premiership stars to the country to play against Chiefs and Pirates.

The tournament consisted of four matches in one week, all of which took place in the 2010 host cities of Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town and Rustenburg.

Manchester United Coach Sir Alex Ferguson complimented the organisers of the tournament, following his team's 4-3 defeat in the final on penalties to Kaizer Chiefs in Pretoria on Saturday.

"The event was brilliantly organized- the logistics, security and the stadia were all brilliant. I have no doubt in my mind that South Africa will host the most memorable and successful Fifa World Cup come 2010," said Mr Ferguson.

The first match of the tournament was on 15 July at the ABSA Stadium in Durban, where the Red Devils won 4-0 against local giants Orlando Pirates.

At the next match on 18 July, Kaizer Chiefs lost 1-0 to the English side at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town.

The local teams then played against each other at the Royal Bafokeng Sports stadium in Rustenburg with Chiefs earning themselves a place in the final at Loftus Stadium in the capital.

"I must thank Manchester United for coming out to play and to the organizers: the event was well run from Cape Town to Durban to Rustenburg to Tshwane.

"The way the tournament was run, shows that South Africa could put up a good showing in 2010," said Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp on the club's website.

Last week, police spokesperson Vish Naidoo told BuaNews that all security measures put in place at the matches took into account the required safety standards of the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

Before and after each game police held briefings to identify any shortfalls in this regard and discussed how to address them, he said.

While in the country, Manchester United held training camps at various schools and paid a visit to former President Nelson Mandela on his birthday.

-Source BuaNews