BLATTER IS CONVINCE IN SOUTH AFRICA.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter's visit to South Africa began with a meeting between him and the country's president, Thabo Mbeki.

An encouraged Blatter said on Sunday that he has full confidence in South Africa's ability to host a successful World Cup, adding that there was no 2010 'plan B'.

“The plan B is South Africa and the plan C is South Africa,” Blatter told a media briefing after the meeting with President Thabo Mbeki in Pretoria.

“We are informed and monitoring all the work and we have no doubt that when it comes to stadia, when it comes to the logistical organization, that everything will be done.”

Safe as Houses

Blatter arrived on Sunday ahead of a four-day FIFA delegation trip around South Africa to inspect venues and meet political leaders, including former president Nelson Mandela. The FIFA president believed that the cup would give South Africa, which has a high level of crime, the status of being identified as a safe country.

He continued, “Most of the criticism now is that it is not secure but you go to big cities anywhere in the world tell me where you have 100 security? It does not exist.”

Both Blatter and Mbeki agreed that a change of government in next year's elections would not affect World Cup preparations. “I'm saying quite firmly that we are on course with regard to meeting our obligations,” Mbeki said, adding, “It doesn't matter what happens here with regard to political challenges, this country will meet its commitments to FIFA to ensure that we have a very successful 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup. That will happen.”

Blatter has pushed hard to get an African team to host the World Cup, and South Africa are showing their commitment and progress in return.

“A World Cup in South Africa would show that Africans are able to host the FIFA event,” said Blatter. “It is justice to South Africa for what Africa has given to the world of football,” concluded the head of world football's governing body.
http://www.sportfederation..com.