Paraguayan World Cup Delegation Visits SAFA House

“Paraguay is a welcome addition to the 2010 World Cup and performed extremely well during their qualification campaign. They are becoming one of the giants of South American football thanks to their results and we are sure they will enjoy a successful campaign in South Africa next year,” Dr Jordaan said at a press conference.

After meeting with Dr Jordaan the delegation were briefed on South Africa’s readiness for the FIFA World Cup by OC Chief of Competitions, Mr Derek Blanckensee.

Included in the presentation were the current preparations being done in the coastal town of Mossel Bay. The Paraguayan team will be based here throughout the tournament and the first stages of the practice pitch and changing facilities have begun.

Minister Zaragoza said Paraguayans would be following their team religiously during next year’s tournament. “Of the millions of people who watch the tournament next year six million of them will be in Paraguay. Everything in Paraguay stops when the national team is playing. Football is very important to the people and is played in every corner of the country.”

He added that he had come to South Africa with strict instructions from Paraguayan president Fernando Armindo Lugo Mendez.

“When we met with Dr Jordaan earlier I told him that we had a very important assignment from my president to see the progress on the stadium where the final will be played (Soccer City) because our national team is going to be there.”

Paraguay gained automatic qualification for the World Cup on 9 October when they beat Argentina 1-0. This is their fourth successive visit to the finals. They were the second team from the Conmebol Group to gain automatic qualification.

Paraguay, who are currently ranked 23rd in the world, will make their eighth appearance at the World Cup finals in 2010.

Although they have never won the tournament they have enjoyed success at continental level, lifting  the Copa America in 1953 and 1979 and finishing as runners-up in this competition on five occasions.

Peter Pedroncelli, Goal.com