Abuja — Brazilian soccer legend Edson Arantes Do Nascimentao, widely known as Pele, yesterday predicted that an African country could reach the final of the 2010 World Cup holding in South Africa.Speaking to reporters in Abuja, after presenting one of the bid documents for the Rio De Janeiro bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games before the Congress of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), Pele noted that with the rising profile of African teams in world football he was sure Africa would do well at the 2010 World Cup.
He added that the excellent outing of South Africa and the USA at the just concluded Confederation Cup in South Africa has further demonstrated that there is no minor country in football again.
"If you remember, ten years ago I started mentioning about how football in Africa will grow and get better and better. Africa gets a lot of players in Europe and they have a lot of experience, and with adequate preparation it will not be a surprise to see Africa in the finals or the quarter-final at the World Cup.
Source: AHU – David A-O