Coach Youth Soccer

All Soccer fans especially Africans will always keep the date June 11,2010 Friday as dear it being the first time that the continent Africa will hold the FIFA World Cup. For eitghty years now, the FIFA World Cup has been held soley in Europe and the Americas. Exactly how is the host for the FIFA world Cup decided? According to the revised selection policy, as long as the country’s continental confederaton hasn’t hosted the Cup in the past two years, the country would become eligable, this would make any African country a strong candidate. South Africa nearly won the 2006 bidding against Germany with a final tally of 12 votes to 11. All countries that bid for the 2010 World Cup were African including South Africa, Morocco and Egypt. South Africa won by four points to Morocco resulting in this unforgettable event. The reasons mentioned are all technical, but you might ask if the country has the ability to host such a huge event? I would answer with a resounding “Yes”.Here’s why:

* I love their team- it’s a fact, the definitely deserve to hold the cup. Wouldn’t holding the Cup in a country who’s team isn’t even that good be a total let down? Even if  you look back, the soccer teams of countries hosting the cup are usually first class like Brazil (1950), Argentina(1978) and Italy(1990). It would make sense to have South Africa join the list.

* You should see the stadiums- as part of their preparation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, South Africa has constructed four brand new mind-blowing stadiums.One has a detractable glass roof, another with spectacular lighting, then there’s the ‘zebra’ inspired stadium located nearby the many game parks, and finally one that resembles the South African flag. Who could want more?

* The perfect weather-  if there’s one thing South Africa is known for-aside from its wildlife, it would be the weather. The World Football Tournament coincides with South Africa’s winter time. Not to worry though, your favorite players won’t end up freezing to death since the winter temperature in South Africa is warmer than most countries summer temperature! Lower temperatures have been proved to be better for athlete’s bodies so the average expected temperature of 20 degrees Celsius at 12pm noon will be great. With good weather, we can expect better performance..

* It’s in Africa- what could be a better place for the world to unite than in the very place that civilization is said to have begun?And the place where soccer is in the heart of every African?Soccer in South Africa has in the past been a cause for unification and a force for apartheid resistance during President Mandela’s era. The finals being held in Soweto which has been the center of South African soccer really adds meaning to the whole event making it not simply a sports event but a historical one.

Despite any controversies in the past four years regarding safety, in my opinion,South Africa is the perfect place for the 2010  FIFA World Cup and  the whole world should be very proud that  this is the first time that a sporting event of this magnitude is being held in the continent.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup is awaited by the entire world. After a lot of discussion, bidding and finally votation, South Africa is the selected venue for the 2010 World cup. The Soccer wall calender for 2010 has a lot install with the initial battle between South Africa and Mexico.Many forecast that it will become likely for the final world cup winners football game to have an African country involved however this is yet to be seen. For those who won’t have the privilege of following the tournament, you might be wondering on what kind of stadiums the  football all stars will be performing their soccer tricks. For four years now, South Afica has been building new awesome stadiums just for this tournament. The most stunning are listed below so take a look all you ‘soccerholics’:

*Moses Mabhida Stadium- opened on November 2009, this stadium has a glass roofing and is teflon coated. Build on the former Kings Park Soccer stadium.

o Capacity: 70,000 o Location: Durban o Design: inspired by the South African flag, the legs of the arch on the southern side join to form a single footing on the northern side.Symbolically, this arch signifies the unity of aonce divided country.The highest point bears a height of 347 feet. The roof produces a translucent glow when lit.
* Green Point Stadium- was demolished in 2007 and reconstructed for the FIFA World Cup in 2009.Scheduled to host six first-round matches, one second-round, one quarter-final and one semifinal match.

o Capacity:70,000 o Location: Cape Town o Design: has a noise-reducing exterior cladding and is situated very near the ocean and has the mountains as a the backdrop. Has an amazing retractable glass roof weighing about 4,500 tons.

* Mbombela Stadium- a  Siwala world meaning “many people together in a small space.” o Capacity: 40,000 o Location:Nelspruit o Design:  has giraffe looking roof designs and seats that resemble the stripes of a giraffe. * Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium-not to be confused with the former president Mandela but the Nelson mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality.Will be hosting five first round matches, one second round, one quarter final and the third place playoff.

o Capacity: 50 000 o Location:Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth o Design:nicknamed ‘the sunflower’ has a roof with a series of petal like looking structures.

* Soccer City Stadium- the main venue for the tournament holding both the opening and final World Cup games.A very historical stadium and also the largest in Africa.

o Capacity:94,500 o Location: Johannesburg o Design: resembles and African pot or “calabash” and has spectacular lighting in the night.

The 2010 Football World Cup is surely one to go in the history books with all these cool stadiums. Doesn’t it just makes you want to book the next flight straight to the heart of Africa?