Stadiums, houses, roads and office blocks may be under construction, but 2010 FIFA World Cup™ hosts South Africa also need a competitive national team and Bafana Bafana still have a long way to go, as the recent Africa Cup of Nations proved.
South Africa is starting to resemble a giant construction site. Not only are all nine venues for the 2010 FIFA World Cup”* now being built or renovated but the economic boom means that houses, roads and office blocks are continuing to pop up at a frenetic pace all across the country. The din of jack hammers competes with the dust and racket of the cement mixers and dump trucks.
The decision to award the 2010 FIFA World Cup’” to South Africa gave the country a great deal of confidence, and that, coupled with the ever-decreasing inequalities after decades of apartheid, has led to a massive explosion in infrastructure. But the construction project at the centre of attention is not a physical structure, it is the team that South Africa are putting together for the tournament, which is now just over two years away. The desire to build a team that can be competitive at the 2010 World Cup’” is uppermost in the national psyche.
South Africa is well aware of the importance of being able to compete, of getting past the first round and ensuring there is an ambiance of local fervour pervading the event. The lessons of Germany are all too evident. At the moment, the parallels are also stark. The German side did not exactly fill their fans with confidence in the two-year period leading up to the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ finals and the same is now true of the South African side.
Germany stumbled through their 2006 FIFA World Cup™ build-up and the pressure on coach Jurgen Klinsmann was enormous. There was little public confidence in the ability of his team to achieve at their own tournament, yet, in the end, their dramatic run to the semi¬finals turned the entire event into a giant carnival.

Shortly – few days ago, Ronaldo suffered another serious injury. Only a few minutes after coming on as a substitute during AC Milan’s game in hand against Livorno, the striker was stretchered off after tearing ligaments in his left knee. As the club announced that very evening that he had suffered major ligament damage, it seemed that a great career was in danger of coming to an end prematurely, especially since he had already suffered two serious injuries eight years previously (albeit to his other knee). A few days later, the Brazilian was operated on by a team of French experts in Paris. “The healing process eight years ago was excellent and there have been medical advances since then,” said club doctor Jean-Pierre Meersseman. Whatever happens, The Phenomenon will certainly be out of action for eight to ten months.

On 30 January 2007, Ronaldo moved from Real Madrid to AC Milan for EUR 7.5 million after long and tough negotiations. The player departed after arguments with coach Fabio Capello, who had fielded him in only seven league matches in the first part of the season. His team-mate Ruud van Nistelrooy commented: “Whether completely fit or not, Ronnie is the best person I have ever played with.”
Ronaldo debuted with AC Milan on 11 February 2007. In the following match, he scored two goals in their 4-3 victory over Siena, reaffirming his reputation for always finding the net with his new dub during his second official game.
The Inter fans subjected Ronaldo to merciless whistling in the local derby on 11 March. Although he opened the score for AC, Inter finally won 2-1. By the end of the season, the Brazilian had netted seven goals in 14 games. Ronaldo injured himself during a public training session at the team’s official presentation at the San Siro on 31 July-ostensibly only a pulled muscle in the left thigh. On 10 September, AC Milan’s medical team admitted it had been the wrong diagnosis; it was, in fact, a torn muscle, not a sprain. “I’ve no idea when I’ll be able to play again,” muttered an exasperated Ronaldo. Four months later, Ronaldo made his comeback against Cagliari on 25 November. Only three days later, while warming up before the Champions League match against Benfica, he injured his thigh again, requiring yet another few weeks of rest.
“I feel very fit,” said Ronaldo on 12 December. “I’ll be there for the Club World Cup.” Shortly afterwards, he was struck off the players’ list. “His problem is psychological, not physical,” opined club president Silvio Berlusconi. Ronaldo was seen filming AC Milan’s final victory over Boca Juniors in Yokohama. Earlier this year, Ronaldo and AC Milan denied rumours of a move to top Brazilian club Flamengo, even though some of the board would welcome the idea. On 13 January 2008, the striker was finally in action again for his team, scoring a brace in their 5-2 triumph against Napoli. “Ronaldo will still be going strong at 40,” enthused Berlusconi.
On 26 January, Ronaldo injured his thigh yet again and sat out the following matches. “When is he planning to return? I’ve no idea,” mused coach Carlo Ancelotti. Ronaldo’s contract is due to expire on 30 June 2008.