Lack of atmosphere undermines Africa Cup countdown

JOHANNESBURG - Agence France-Presse

With just one week before the first kick-off, there is a lack of atmosphere for the Africa Cup of Nations. AFP Photo

It is the largest sporting event on the continent, but the build-up started late and there is a lack of atmosphere just over a week before the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in South Africa.

The sizzle of colorful public enthusiasm ahead of the 2010 World Cup is conspicuously absent, drawing criticism from foreign football supporters living in the country.

“If you look at 2010 there were flags on the roads. This time, nothing,” said Christopher Kalibwe, 28, sporting his native Zambia’s green, red, black and orange at a warm-up match in Johannesburg.

“I don’t think there is any vibe,” said Moroccan Rachid Souilek, who also watched the game between his country and defending champion Zambia.

“It’s not like the World Cup. The fever was there months before the tournament. There are no TV shows, no build-up.”

South Africa hosts the cup from Jan. 19 to Feb. 10, having stepped in when turmoil in Libya forced the tournament to be moved.

Comparisons to the extremely successful World Cup are inevitable as foreign media pick up on the lackluster run-up.

“In contrast to the 2010 World Cup, when advertisements were put up well ahead of time, for this continental tournament the country has done little to show visitors what it has achieved in terms of organization,” reported Angolan news agency ANGOP.

Organization defends

But the organizers hit back at the criticism.

“I think it’s unfair,” Cup of Nations local organizing committee (LOC) spokesman Sipho Sithole told AFP. “You are expecting South Africa to have done the same that it did for 2010. If this was the 2017 [Cup of Nations], the tournament we were supposed to host, and we had four years, it would have been fair.”

Committee chief executive Mvuzo Mbebe blamed sponsors for the lack of hype, saying the LOC did not drive marketing during the World Cup.

“It was driven by sponsors,” he said. “Have you seen any other ads except for the adverts of the LOC? We can only do a certain amount.”

Despite promises of timely publicity campaigns, the drive started late because the government released funds only in December, explained Sithole.

Various events in host cities marked the 10-day countdown this week. Marchers and rickshaws paraded through Durban’s streets and a rally in up-scale Johannesburg suburb Sandton got crowds excited, though the attendance was low.

South Africa coach Gordon Igesund played down the delayed take-off.

“I think there’s a great vibe,” he told AFP. “Everyone’s getting excited.”