Has the Confederations Cup been a rousing success or a dismal failure? Khaya Ndubane and Ebrahim Moolla go head-to-head…

Several reports of crime may have emerged during the Confederation Cup, but iafrica.com's SA Soccer Editor, Khaya Ndubane, believes that they are being blown out of proportion by a one-eyed foreign media.

The media — particularly the foreign media — which is yet to accept that the World Cup will be hosted in Africa, is sensationalising these reports for the sole purpose of making South Africa look bad in the eyes of the world.

It is interesting to note that the same media failed to highlight Bafana Bafana's own experience with crime in the 2005 Gold Cup in the US where the South African national team members' belongings were stolen in a burglary. They also failed to highlight the various theft incidents that happened in Germany during the 2006 World Cup.

The fact of that matter is that the Local Organising Committee (LOC) has done a sterling job in organising the Confederations Cup. Whether or not the media wish to believe that is unimportant.

Several months ago there was doubt that the stadiums would be ready in time for the 2010 event with progress hampered by several strike actions, but the LOC moved swiftly to curb these delays, dismissing FIFA's fears in the process. When the sport's governing body raised concerns about poor attendance following the Spain-New Zealand match in Rustenberg last week, again the LOC, in conjunction with FIFA, made sure that the stadiums were filled.

The LOC must also to be commended for hiring Sello Nduna — the man responsible for turning Bloemfontein Celtic supporters into the most loyal in the country. This move has paid dividends, with all the teams having played at the Free State Stadium full of praise for the vibe created by the supporters in Bloem.

Granted, Danny Jordaan and his team fell short in terms of transport, but the Confederations Cup was a first for South Africa and there were always going to be a few hiccups.

People tend to forget that the Confed Cup is merely a dress rehearsal for the 2010 World Cup, so the lessons that have been learnt during this event will help the LOC fine-tune ahead of the showpiece event.

Ebrahim Moolla is a little less enthusiastic about the success of the Confederations Cup, citing crime, transport problems and an overwhelming lack of national enthusiasm.

The Pharaohs and Samba Kings both left with lighter wallets after a bout of hotel room theft. Foreign journalists and fans complain of being intimidated and extorted by corrupt police. Four British tourists hijacked soon after arriving in Johannesburg.

Yes, that most compelling of South African ice-breakers, crime, has come to the Confederations Cup like an unsightly divot on a pristine pitch. This is despite the unheralded move of beefing up an overwhelmed contingent of private security guards with more than 8000 policemen and women.

The Confederations Cup is admittedly a dry run for next year's World Cup but just how SA will contain an issue that has harangued the national conscience for decades remains to be seen.

Complaints about transport — in particular park-and-ride facilities — long queues at refreshment facilities in the stadiums, cold, undercooked R20 boerewors rolls masquerading as food, decapitated anthems and churned-up playing surfaces are just a few of the other bugbears in the mouths of critics.

Perhaps the most ominous of all the concerns in my nitpicking quiver is, well, nitpicking itself. It comes from that element of society which yearns for South Africa to be hoofed into touch as World Cup hosts just so it gives some credence to their interminable 'How can we compete with Germany/Japan/San Marino, the country is going down the toilet' etc etc ad nauseam arguments. Look for them in the comments field at the bottom of this debate. SA needs every hand at the tiller and rather a vuvuzela than the voice of a cynic.

We can't lose sight of the fact that the World Cup is a football tournament. The most insurmountable of all obstacles barring a successful 2010 extravaganza, is a successful Bafana Bafana side. Quite apart from administrative reform, a reserve league, Afrikaans commentary and so forth, it will take spectators at stadiums. Unfortunately a couple of Confed games have only been half full — and I'm not being optimistic. Save the black (or white?) rhino. Reduce your carbon footprint. And adopt a PSL team.

Do you agree with Khaya or Ebrahim? Share your thoughts below...

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