london IN SOUTH AFRICA: A soccer fan in Cape Town is in despair after his country’s failed bid to become hosts of the World Cup 2006 yesterday. Internet photo
JOHANNESBURG. July 6 (Reuters/AFP): South Africa sighed with grief and hit out at European soccer powers today after losing out to rival Germany in its bld to host the 2006 World Cup.
Parties planned across the country were cancelled or fizzled out. leaving most South Africans to think of what might have been — the biggest sporting event ever to grace Africa.
Packed bars in the sprawling former township of Soweto groaned after the news while crowds in the Indian Ocean city of Durban were stunned into silence by the announcement.
"I am devastated," said 48-year-old Hendrick, choking back his tears In one of Soweto's bars.
Television pictures showing Joyous German officials in Zurich did not help lift the feel-' ing of gloom.
Even the magic of former president Nelson Mandela had not been able to swing the FIFA executive tn their final deliberations to choose the venue lor soccer s showcase.
Mandela. 81. was visibly disappointed when the news broke.
Mandela's successor. President Thabo Mbeki, called It a tragic day for his country but vowed (hat South Africa would win the 2010 World Cup bld.
"Of course the disappointment we re experiencing today Is setback to our efforts at gaining the recognition that Africa deserves in the international sporting community." Mbeki said in a live television address to a depressed nation minutes after FIFA announced In Zurich
that Germany would host the cup on a 12-11 vote.
"We are confident that our bid was sound In all respects but a few of the final arbiters, from their unique vantage point, clearly had their own view different from ours." Mbeki said
He added: Once more, our best wishes to the winning nation. Next time we will win."
South African soccer stars denounced the decision, saying it was unfair for Europe to again hold the competition.
"It is very disappointing I thought it was 100 per cent that we would get it. It's very sad that Europe is getting it again," said Quinton Fortune a South
UNDATED, July 6 (AP) : 1930: Uruguay 1934: Italy-1938: France 1950: Brazil 1954: Switzerland 1958: Sweden 1962: Chile 1966: England 1970: Mexico 1974. West Germany 1978: Argentina 1982: Spain 1986: Mexico 1990: Italy 1994; United States 1998: France
African who plays for English league champions Manchester United.
Benny McCarthy of Spain's Celta Vigo said: "1 am disappointed as the millions of South Africans. 1 know we did enough. Europe stuck together and that's not fair."
Hope that the continent would land the 2010 tournament after a well-received bid for 2006 was scant comfort for the thousands of South Africans who had prepared for one of the biggest nights of celebration since democracy in 1994.
The loss of a potential tourist boom also hit (he country’s rand and stock market whk h had strengthened in the run up to the decision.
Tour operators had been
smacking their lips at the prospects of hundreds of thousands of foreign soccer fans wanting to combine the games with visits to world-renowned game parks and beaches.
"Next time we will win." he added.
Earlier the thousands of disappointed fans who had crammed into the Good Hope Centre left immediately after the announcement.
The same happened at the Sports CafT at Cape Towns Waterfront. Public figures who attended the festivities at the Good Hope Centre included Minister Kader Asmal. Salie Mowzer of the City of Cape Town. Cape Metropolitan Council mayor William Bantom and Western Cape premier Gerald Morkel.
Mowzer said although South Africa had lost "We are proud of the bid team."
Screaming headlines in South Africa s Thursday morning newspapers voiced the nervous anticipation and excitement gripping the country-ahead of the announcement.
The looming decision took up several pages in all dailies and was the topic of discussion on several radio talk shows.
Restaurants and taverns were expecting to rake in the rands with office-workers downing pens to watch the live broadcast — due at 2 00 pm South African time (1200 GMT) - ol FIFA's decision on big screen television sets.
Hold your thumbs, hold your breath, close your eves ... and HOPE, instructed the Star newspaper on its front page, its masthead in the colours of the South African flag to mark the occasion.
"Give it to us!" the Sowetan newspaper shouted, adding that it was convinced the Cup would come to Africa for the first time in its 70-year history.
"When FIFA this afternoon declares South Africa the appt opr late candidate to host the 2006 World Cup finals — and we believe It will — it will have answered the prayers of about 840 million people in Africa and
South America." It said.
When Brazil pulled out of the race, it threw its weight behmd South Africa's bld against those of Germany. England and Morocco.
"South Africa waits with bated breath." the Citizens said. Its editorial adding: "Buckle up. The World Cup 2006 rollercoaster starts this morning."
It continued: “Conventional wisdom, gut feeling and a few well-time leaks ana a sense of moral entitlement says the prize Is in the bag."
Only the country's leading financial daily. Business Day, took a subdued approach, saying "the sense or anticipation ahead of this afternoon's decision needs to be leavened with a dose of caution."
"The emotional argument that the time has come for Africa to host the Cup is unlikely to carry as much weight among the rIFA executive as more tangible consideration." It warned.