World Cup: Is South Africa Ready For Prime Time?

Anti-Obama Comments
Perpetuate Confidence Crisis

By BEN JACKEY
One Great Season

"Our famous prayer is that the Americans don't make the second round, (that) they get eliminated and they go home."

These are not the remarks of Fabio Capello, Wayne Rooney or any Algerian or Slovenian players. It's not some hate-filled comment from an Eli Tri rival like Giovanni dos Santos. No, this bit of genius comes from the South African police commissioner Bheki Cele.

Yeah, that South Africa, the host nation of the world's greatest sporting event. It's the country that many in the football world argued is not capable of hosting a World Cup. Then, it made the argument for us.

Commissioner Cele's comments were directed at the possibility of President Barack Obama visiting the World Cup if the United States Men's National Team advances to the knock-out stages of the tournament. The South African government says that El Presidenté has flip flopped on his travel plans since accepting the invitation to go in the spring of last year. I could go on about a politician going back on his word, but no one wants to hear that except maybe Glenn Beck.

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What that statement represents is South Africa's inability to handle such a grand event on many levels. Simply, it speaks to the comprehension of security. President Obama is the leader of the free world. He would be target No. 1 for any terrorist group in the world. "One challenge is the American president who is coming, not coming, coming, not coming," said Cele when discussing a conversation with a government agent.

Really? You mean a man who's in charge of the president's security doesn't want to share final plans with a man many doubt will be able to keep the average fan safe, much less a dignitary? I've had many inside conversations with Secret Service agents over the years, and even they will tell you they get details at the last minute. Pardon the pun, but this is Bush League, South Africa.

We are a month away from the World Cup and the hotel Germany is slated to stay in isn’t fit to house humans. Those hotels that are, are charging as much as $700 a night for a room. Oh, and there are the people who've been murdered in the shadows of some of the stadiums. Plus, trust me, you will still be reading articles five years from now about the debt incurred by this country due to all the stadium building and infrastructure improvements.

Typically, the aforementioned quote would not raise an eyebrow. In fact, it would normally be a source of laughter since USA's advancement in the World Cup is often comparable to Angola's success in the FIBA championships. However, there is a real possibility this American squad could advance. Group C rival Algeria has had a decent match here and there, but it has been humiliated against solid African teams. Playing Slovenia should yield three points. And England's rash of World Cup doubtfuls and no-shows (Rooney, Gareth Barry, David Beckham and Wayne Bridge) means the door is slightly ajar.

So, Cele better get his fleet of 1985 Crown Victorias ready, because Obama’s visit looks likely. You might want to get prepared, South Africa. That big soccer tournament is a month away.

Jackey is an Emmy Award-winning former television reporter and international football enthusiast who lives in Louisville, Ky.