By Nthambeleni Gabara
JOHANNESBURG, Jan 25 (NNN-BUANEWS) — Argentina’s football legend Diego Maradona, who is now the national team’s head coach, has predicted that striker Lionel Messi will take the South American side to the final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa on July 11.
“I have no doubt that Messi is one of the most exceptional soccer players in the world and I believe that he will beat (portuguese star) Christiano Ronaldo hands down to scoop the best soccer player of the tournament,” Maradona said here Thursday as he ended a five-day tour of the country to inspect facilities for the World Cup which kicks off on June 11.
Messi, who plays for FC Barcelona in Spain’s La Liga, is the current FIFA Player of the Year and UEFA Champions League top scorer in the 2008-2009 seasons. He is well-known for mesmerising defenders and making goalies look useless as has been dubbed by Maradona as his successor.
Argentina will lock horns with South Korea in their opening match on 17 June at Soccer City here, which is also the venue for both the opening and final match of the World Cup.
Maradona described the multi-billion rand revamped stadium as one of the best in the world even though it was only 95 per cent complete.
“I am impressed. This is one of the best stadiums in the world. Congratulations to all those who worked here. There is no doubt that the World Cup will be a success,” he said.
Maradona, who arrived on Monday to inspect football facilities ahead of the World Cup, was accompanied by South African Football Association (SAFA) President Kirsten Nematandani and Local Organising Committee (LOC) Chief Executive Officer Danny Jordaan.
Before he exchanged his national soccer team jersey with Jordaan, he showed construction workers his skills with the Jabulani soccer balls to be used during the World Cup.
Earlier in the day, he donated two computers to the Selekelela Secondary School, situated next to the state-of the art Orlando Stadium.
He also visited Orlando West High School, where the June 16, 1976 uprising began. At both schools he distributed caps, soccer balls, shoes as well as his team’s jerseys to the schools soccer teams.
Sekelela School Principal Fikile Lepshe told BuaNews that as a school, they felt important, honoured and special by the visit and the aid they received from Maradona.
Maradona later left for home with a positive image about South Africa as a World Cup host.
“South Africans are friendly and loving, so there is no need to fear for security,” said Maradona. — NNN-BUANEWS
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