"Africa to be anointed as influence grows"

Africa's rapidly spreading influence will be underlined this weekend when soccer's biggest event goes to the continent for the first time. South Africa is favourite, hoping to beat Morocco and Egypt to host the World Cup in 2010, with Libya and Tunisia the bolters when FIFA's 25-strong chief executive votes.

Europe, South America and the rest of the soccer world will look on as FIFA has ruled, as part of its globalisation plan, that Africa will stage the 2010 event. Whoever wins, it will be another sign of the rising status in soccer of the continent that gave the game George Weah, Roger Milla and Nwankwo Kanu. Nigeria and Cameroon won the previous two Olympic soccer titles.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter said a week ago the Tunisians would withdraw as they wanted to co-host the event with the Libyans and that was no longer an option. Although it happened with Japan and South Korea in 2002, he said that was a one-off.
www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/05/14/1084289883212.html