After suffering a deadly ambush in Angola the Togo national team have announced that they are withdrawing from the African Cup of Nations. The decision was final when 2 more deaths to the Togolese staff was announced today, making it a total of 3 killed. Do you think more will follow Togo? Is this competition doomed? Do you think these events will have a negative effect on the World Cup in South Africa?
Showing posts with label South Africa 2010. Show all posts
Showing posts with label South Africa 2010. Show all posts
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Togo Teamed Attacked (Update)
After suffering a deadly ambush in Angola the Togo national team have announced that they are withdrawing from the African Cup of Nations. The decision was final when 2 more deaths to the Togolese staff was announced today, making it a total of 3 killed. Do you think more will follow Togo? Is this competition doomed? Do you think these events will have a negative effect on the World Cup in South Africa?
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
The New World Cup Ball
The new FIFA World Cup ball, Jabulani, hits the store shelves tomorrow. I'm impressed by the level of detail that they put into the graphics. But I'm more interested in which goalkeeper will be the first one to complain about it. Hey Mr. Goalkeeper Man, we want lots of goals!
FIFA World Cup Groups
The first video is an overview with the emphasis on which group is the Group of Death. The following videos break down each group individually.
The Table Is Set
The U.S. received a great draw in Group C drawing England, Algeria and Slovenia. You can see the Groups here. Thanks Charlize for the draw...and your sense of humor.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Fate, Destiny, Glory!!
Don't forget to tune into ESPN2 or ESPN360.com for the South Africa 2010 draw (12pmET/9am PST). Fingers crossed the U.S. doesn't get slated in the group of death again. If they do... It's under dog status once again and for me prefer that title. Here's to a favorable group... If you're a U.S. fan.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Adidas: Unite Mzansi Unite!
From Football Shirt Culture:
Unite Mzansi Unite (UMU) is a campaign created by adidas to celebrate the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The project aims to inspire all South Africans to unite in celebration behind the 2010 FIFA World Cup
For this campaign, adidas has created a giant yellow jersey a replica of the official Bafana-Bafana jersey. It is truly giant measuring 60m x 48m. The jersey has just started its amazing 7 month journey through the entire South Africa. It is a platform for all South Africans to unite and show their support by signing their name on the jersey. A custom made truck is transporting this giant yellow jersey through all 9 provinces of the country. This campaign wants to unify South Africa by giving as many South Africans possible the opportunity to make their mark, show their support and celebrate the 2010 FIFA World Cup as one. nike puma umbro
Its time for South Africa to come together, to show our support and passion.
Its about showing the world who we are.
The passion of our people.
The warmth of our culture.
The spirit of our nation.
Unite Mzansi Unite!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
My thoughts on Honduras
After seeing the Honduran national team fall to the American's in Honduras, nothing prepared me for what I saw as the USMNT walked off the pitch... The Honduran supporters cheering for our boys. This was such an awesome act that it left me in amazement, our boys just about crushed their chances of seeing South Africa and yet they still applauded the old US of A. Well, not only did they cheer for us after we beat them, but they waved our flag along with theirs after Honduras defeated El Salvador 1-0 (Carlos Pavon), thus ensuring a place in SA. No doubt, the U.S. flag waving was in thanks that we tied Costa Rica, but the gratitude and respect is something I don't think I would ever see in Mexico. Take notes Mexico, even as Honduras is in political turmoil they still know how to be gracious in triumph and defeat. Congrats to Honduras for making the World Cup, you owe us one if we ever need it... IF we ever need it. I am down with team Soul Glo.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
On Strike!
South African construction workers went on an indefinite strike Wednesday at stadiums being built for the 2010 World Cup—a move that could derail Africa’s historic first World Cup tournament.
Thousands of workers at stadiums across the country put down their tools after wage negotiations deadlocked earlier this week. Workers are demanding a 13 percent pay increase while employers are offering 10.4 percent.
The strike could delay completion of flagship projects such as the Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg and stadiums in Cape Town and Durban. Other stadiums in smaller towns have also been affected.
The venues need to be completed by December to meet deadlines set by the game’s ruling body FIFA before the tournament kicks off in June 2010.
Lesiba Seshoka of the National Union of Mineworkers, which represents construction workers, said 70,000 workers were involved in the strike, which would continue until employers met their demands. He said the union was not worried about the completion of the stadiums— that was a concern of the tournament’s local organizing committee.
“We are worried about our families getting food, not a rich man buying a ticket to watch a game,” he said.
Joe Campanella, from the South African Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors, which represents construction companies, said only 11,000 workers took part in the strike.
He has said the deal offered by employers amounts to a 65 percent increase, including benefits.
However, the unions have complained that some workers are earning about $1.50 an hour and others $5 a week. Workers in South Africa are supposed to earn a minimum wage of about $200 a month.
The strike has been criticized for jeopardizing South Africa’s chances of hosting a successful World Cup—a monthlong event avidly watched by hundreds of millions around the world.
But the Congress of South African Trade Unions, which represents the country’s largest trade union federations, has come out in support of the construction workers and says the dispute is not targeted at the World Cup.
“COSATU, and the construction workers, are as passionate about the 2010 World Cup as anyone, and will do everything possible to ensure its success. But we will not tolerate the stadiums being built by workers who are underpaid or working in dangerous or unhealthy conditions,” the organization said in a statement.
Danny Jordaan, chief executive of the local organizing committee, said the strike would soon be resolved and was confident the stadiums will be completed on schedule.
“The construction workers have been the lifeblood of the 2010 FIFA World Cup project. Their hard work has ensured that we are on track to meet our deadlines and that our stadiums will be among the best in the world next year,” he said in a statement.
Patrick Geqeza, a shop steward at the Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg, said he understood the importance of having the World Cup in South Africa and completing the stadiums in time.
“We feel bad about going on strike,” he said, but added there was little alternative.
Associated Press Writer Stuart Moir contributed to this report.
Thousands of workers at stadiums across the country put down their tools after wage negotiations deadlocked earlier this week. Workers are demanding a 13 percent pay increase while employers are offering 10.4 percent.
The strike could delay completion of flagship projects such as the Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg and stadiums in Cape Town and Durban. Other stadiums in smaller towns have also been affected.
The venues need to be completed by December to meet deadlines set by the game’s ruling body FIFA before the tournament kicks off in June 2010.
Lesiba Seshoka of the National Union of Mineworkers, which represents construction workers, said 70,000 workers were involved in the strike, which would continue until employers met their demands. He said the union was not worried about the completion of the stadiums— that was a concern of the tournament’s local organizing committee.
“We are worried about our families getting food, not a rich man buying a ticket to watch a game,” he said.
Joe Campanella, from the South African Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors, which represents construction companies, said only 11,000 workers took part in the strike.
He has said the deal offered by employers amounts to a 65 percent increase, including benefits.
However, the unions have complained that some workers are earning about $1.50 an hour and others $5 a week. Workers in South Africa are supposed to earn a minimum wage of about $200 a month.
The strike has been criticized for jeopardizing South Africa’s chances of hosting a successful World Cup—a monthlong event avidly watched by hundreds of millions around the world.
But the Congress of South African Trade Unions, which represents the country’s largest trade union federations, has come out in support of the construction workers and says the dispute is not targeted at the World Cup.
“COSATU, and the construction workers, are as passionate about the 2010 World Cup as anyone, and will do everything possible to ensure its success. But we will not tolerate the stadiums being built by workers who are underpaid or working in dangerous or unhealthy conditions,” the organization said in a statement.
Danny Jordaan, chief executive of the local organizing committee, said the strike would soon be resolved and was confident the stadiums will be completed on schedule.
“The construction workers have been the lifeblood of the 2010 FIFA World Cup project. Their hard work has ensured that we are on track to meet our deadlines and that our stadiums will be among the best in the world next year,” he said in a statement.
Patrick Geqeza, a shop steward at the Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg, said he understood the importance of having the World Cup in South Africa and completing the stadiums in time.
“We feel bad about going on strike,” he said, but added there was little alternative.
Associated Press Writer Stuart Moir contributed to this report.
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