Africa's long road to 2010

Piers Edwards

"The World Cup is coming to Africa - I can't believe it. It just makes me believe that anything is possible."

The words of a female DJ as I listened to the radio in Lesotho just 10 days ago. An attitude which encapsulates the wonder many are feeling across Africa - still incredulous that the planet's biggest sports event is coming here.

To the only continent never to have hosted the Olympics nor the World Cup. Until now that is.

For those living in South Africa itself, the incredulity goes even deeper. Twenty years ago, hosting the World Cup was an impossible dream. Still under the grip of apartheid, South Africa was a pariah state, banned from football by Fifa, and the prospect of playing any match, let alone hosting the world, was a mere flight of fancy.

But now we're a month away from a tournament which many, including former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, fully expect to change Africa's poor global standing - broadly known for such negative images as war, famine, HIV/Aids corruption - while the more football-minded simply hope a new playing generation will shine brightly in 10-15 years' time, as those who grew up inspired by Africa's first World Cup hit maturity. "I'm hoping an African side can do really well, perhaps even win it," says former South Africa defender Mark Fish. "Then we can ask Fifa why we can't have seven, eight, perhaps even nine teams representing Africa in future World Cups."

BBC