World Cup Corner

The Confederation of African Football is organizing a voting system through its website inviting Internet users to choose African best player in the last 50 years. The longest short list, I have ever seen, includes 200 players who performed significantly on continental level in the last 50 years. The selection was made on the basis of national, regional and continental performance as well as FIFA World Cup and Olympic tournament.

All votes should be sent to CAF by email to caf50@cafonline.com before 15th November 2006. Only one player can be selected and you must explain in few lines the motives backing your choice.

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The South African government anounced to spend $1.9 billion on new stadiums and infrastructure improvements for the 2010 World Cup. In addition to spending money to improve the nation’s transportation infrastructure, the government will hire and train an additional 10,000 police officers. The FIFA delegation was sitting in the gallery of the South Africa’s parliament during the speech which Trevor Manuel, South Africa’s finance minister, held on Wednesday:

The hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup provides South Africa and the region with a one-in-a-generation opportunity to showcase our land and our hospitality in a sporting festival that knows no bounds. Hosting this event will require the effort of all South Africans.

A picture can say more than a thousand words.

I hope this is not going to happen in South Africa 2010. ;-)

Zinedine Zidane, who has just signed a deal to work as a comentator for French television Canal Plus, said he did not miss competitive football. Zidane, who retired after his country’s defeat by Italy in the World Cup final in July, said he was coping well with life outside soccer.

The former France and Real Madrid play maker told L’Equipe in an interview:

I’m not missing it. When Real Madrid started the season, I didn’t feel anything, but it may come. I will stay close to football because that’s what I know how to do. If you ask me if I will become a coach, for now, it’s no. But in 10 years, I don’t know.

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FIFA revealed 30-man shortlist for FIFA World Player of the Year 2006 award. The best player will be awarded on 18 December in Zurich. Ronaldinho, winner of this award on the last two occasions, will have the opportunity to defend his title.

FIFA World Player Of The Year Shortlist:

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England fans are looking for The Maksimir Mole that lives under the Stadium in Zagreb. The Maksimir Mole was found guilty of raising molehills responsible for the second goal when Gary Neville’s back pass to Robinson rolled into the unguarded net.

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The Fashion of Football, by Paolo Hewitt and Mark Baxter, is a bible for the fashion conscious football fan.

The clothes may well “market the man” - but when worn by a world-famous footballer they also make front-page news. As fans will always follow every haircut and style statement made by footballing fashion icons like David Beckham.

The book starts in 1962, when wage restrictions were lifted, the players had to spend their big wages somewhere so they started looking more and more flamboyant. From then on it was a natural progression, from Best to Beckham. Featuring rare photographs, the book tells how fashion has influenced the players and, more amusingly, how it has been represented in the stands.

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The Brazilian Football Confederation have offered the position of president of their 2014 World Cup Organising Committee to the one and only Edson Arantes do Nascimento - Pele. He would take on a similar role to that of Franz Beckenbauer at the World Cup 2006 in Germany and Michel Platini in France 1998.

The Brazil legend has indicated he would love to take on the position.

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