Nam slow on Confed Cup

NAMIBIA has so far made little, if any, progress to lure football-playing nations here for possible friendly matches and training camps ahead of the 2009 Fifa Confederations Cup in South Africa next month.

This was evident from mixed responses to questions about hosting any of the eight nations in what is seen a dress rehearsal for the 2010 World Cup.The Confederations Cup will run from June 14 until 28 and involves hosts South Africa, Spain, Italy, Brazil, Iraq, Egypt, New Zealand and the USA.Yesterday, Namibia Football Association (NFA) spokesman Beau Kauta said they have ‘enquired’ about the possibility of seven nations setting up temporary base here before proceeding to South Africa, but no response has been received yet.’We did not get any feedback yet, so we cannot say who will come and who not,’ he said.He said they have also not set any deadlines for the participating countries to respond as they do not want to tie themselves down in case one of the countries decides to come on short notice ahead of the event.’We did not set any time frames and we are still hoping for something to happen,’ he said.He said the NFA has also checked with its sister associations such as in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique and they too have not had any luck with hosting any of the high-profile football countries from all across the globe.Sport Permanent Secretary Peingeondjabi Shipoh confirmed that there were no formal submissions made to Government to lobby for countries to come to Namibia.SHOOTING IN THE DARK ‘The football officials have not given us anything to lobby on. It is their responsibility to present themselves as credible opposition for any friendly matches or anything in that regard. I can confirm that we are currently just shooting in the dark. There is nothing,’ he said.Shipoh however added that the prerogative of the nations to visit other countries for friendlies lies with the national team coach of the particular country.’The coach decides where he wants to take his team based on the best suitable conditions he thinks will be favourable for his team in terms of preparation,’ he said. Meanwhile, New Zealand confirmed that they will set up base in Botswana ahead of opening friendlies against that country and Tanzania. They are expected to arrive in Botswana on May 27 and will prepare for Group A matches which include Spain, Iraq and South Africa.A newspaper in Swaziland reported that Italy might set up camp in that country because of the favourably weather conditions and will consider friendly matches, but that still needs to be confirmed.The competition is played in the World Cup host country a year before football’s premier event. Fifa’s ‘Festival of Champions’ has become a serious test of the host country’s World Cup readiness – and a major sporting event in its own right.The draw for the tournament took place last November, splitting the eight teams into two groups and setting up some classic clashes. corry@namibian.com.na