PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) — South Africa president Jacob Zuma again strongly hinted that Africa's first World Cup host is considering a bid for the Olympics.
"I don't see why we can't bid to host the Olympics," Zuma said in an interview Friday with football's governing body, FIFA. "People are already talking about a possibility of bidding for (other) major events and we are supporting this."
Zuma said South Africa has the resources and infrastructure and an Olympic bid is "important for Africa."
Johannesburg - The World Cup could set a new record for paid attendance with three million fans expected to attend games, local organising committee CEO Danny Jordaan said on Thursday.
"With the quarterfinals, semi-finals and final being played at the biggest stadiums in the country, it is possible we will top the three million fan attendance mark after the final at Soccer City on July 11," Jordaan told media in Sandton, Johannesburg.
Already 2.69 million fans had paid to watch the first two rounds of the global showpiece.
Johannesburg - Former Ghana international Abedi Pele Ayew is confident that Ghana can reach the final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
He is aware that Uruguay are a good team but believes that his nation can advance ahead of the South Americans when the two teams lock horns in tomorrow night’s quarter-final clash.
Johannesburg – An online company has begun marketing an "Anti Vuvuzela Filter" that promises to silence the sound of the controversial plastic trumpets that have become the trademark of the Soccer World Cup.
The company's website sells an MP3 audio file for $3.60 that the company says will cancel the vuvuzela noise for TV viewers by producing a sound wave similar to the horn's that cancels the noise.
Johannesburg - Makers of the vuvuzelas that have become the talking point of the World Cup have come up with a toned-down version after a growing backlash against the din at matches.
"We have modified the mouthpiece, there is now a new vuvuzela which will blow noise that is 20 decibels less than the old one," Neil van Schalkwyk, a partner at Masincedane Sport, told The Star newspaper.
"We hope to sell these at park and ride areas and public viewing areas," added Van Schalkwyk, whose company owns the vuvuzela trademark.
Cape Town - At exactly noon on Wednesday, people around the world blew their vuvuzelas, whistled and honked their horns to celebrate the first FIFA World Cup in Africa.
It was called the "Vuvuzela Moment" and it was celebrated in equal style online as it was offline. Tweeters in South Africa and across the world came to the party in fine style, causing the phrase "Vuvuzela" to trend on the world-famous social networking and micro-blogging service as fans across the world spoke about and blew their virtual vuvuzelas in 140 characters.
Johannesburg - Arsenal forward Carlos Vela insisted his Mexico side are still potential knock-out phase contenders, despite being held to a 1-1 draw by South Africa in Friday's World Cup opener.
"The first game is important to start strong in the tournament, but I still think this team is a very good team although we can't win every game now," said the 21-year-old winger.
Where it is
Green Point, Cape Town
How to get there
Car Hire is relatively inexpensive – however, traveling by private vehicle at this time is strongly discouraged due to extensive road closures, traffic exclusion areas, parking restrictions and probable congestion.
Cape Town - Hundreds of people across the country left their offices on Wednesday to blow their vuvuzelas as the 2010 FIFA World Cup draws nearer.
Ex Survivor contestant Danielle Vukic and South African Sports Illustrated’s first editor Richard Whittingdale were part of a large crowd gathered in Somerset Street, Cape Town.
“This is fantastic,” they told News24. “We’re now really looking forward to the World Cup.
Johannesburg – Gautrain, the multi-billion rand rapid rail service, opened its doors for the first time ever to the public on Tuesday.
The commercial operation starts three days before the 2010 FIFA World Cup kicks off, ollowsing shortly after the official launch of Gautrain on Saturday.
People can now buy tickets and travel on Gautrain the same way they would on any Metrorail train.
Barbara Jensen, spokesperson for Gautrain Management Agency, said on Tuesday there was "huge excitement" this morning.
