Diego Maradona visits South Africa and dismisses World Cup security concerns.

The Argentine national head coach, Mr Diego Maradona, visited South Africa on 18-22 January 2010 with a delegation from the Argentina Football Association (AFA). The delegation was in the country for a five-day visit to inspect the facilities to be used by the Argentine national team in the Host City of Tshwane during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Mr Maradona was also in the country to visit various secondary schools in the Cities of Johannesburg and Tshwane to distribute computers as well as other football related material.

Mr Maradona was well-received in South Africa and he also had an opportunity to visit key sites related to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, such as the Soccer City Stadium that will host the opening and the final matches of the World Cup tournament. On Thursday, 21 January 2010, Mr Maradona visited the SAFA House in Johannesburg, where he met with the Chief Executive Officer of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa (OC), Dr Danny Jordaan, SAFA President, Mr Kirsten Nematandani and CEO, Leslie Sedibe, as well as senior OC management, where he expressed his happiness with preparations for the FIFA World Cup.

Addressing the media about his visit to South Africa, Mr Maradona dismissed security concerns ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and encouraged fans to visit the country for the tournament. He said: They can say what they want but we know we are coming to play the World Cup in a safe country. I have seen that with my own eyes. Anything can happen in the world but I have spent a week in South Africa and everything is very good and the people are very friendly. This will be a great World Cup with no doubts of security. I will tell my players that they only have to think of playing football when they come here and worry about nothing else.

Asked about the meeting with Mr Maradona, Dr Jordaan said, “I told the coach that in 1986 when Argentina left for the World Cup the people of Argentina did not think that team would bring back the cup. But that team had a special player and in the end they won the World Cup. This year the Argentine team also has a very special player. They may not be among the favourites to win the World Cup this year but I think this team is going to surprise many people.” He further said, what impressed him about Mr Maradona was that he was down to earth.

After the meeting Mr Maradona visited the Soccer City Stadium where he also exchanged signed national jerseys on the pitch with Dr Jordaan. Asked about his impressions of the Soccer City stadium, he said, “They really did a great job on this stadium. I have been to many stadiums before but this is very big and so great. To be able to enter this stadium is so beautiful. I feel inspired to play here but unfortunately my time has passed. ”

For pictures on Mr Maradona’s visit to South Africa visit http://images.2010oc.com and look under '2010 Events’ (Username: Final_Draw and Password: finaldraw)

Source: 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa Communications Division