SA police chief 'prays' US are knocked out of World Cup

[pampango]

Source: BBC

South Africa's police chief is hoping the US team are knocked out of the football World Cup early on - to avoid a visit by President Barack Obama.

General Bheki Cele told MPs Mr Obama could fly in if the US make it to the knockout stage.

"Our famous prayer is that the Americans don't make the second round," he said, while insisting his forces could provide sufficient security.

He said 43 heads of state would go to South Africa for the Cup.

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8669040.stm

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At first I thought there was some political angle to the police chief's statement, while he was really just discussing the security aspect of an Obama visit. :)

[unabelladonna]

1. i would worry as well...

the gov't isn't doing a very good job protecting the white farmers still in SA. the crime rate is abominable.

[Joe Bacon]

2. What is so sad is that millions of Republicans are praying the same way

Just like they actively prayed for the Olympic committee to reject Chicago's bid. I still remember seeing Christians on TV openly rejoicing when Chicago lost their Olympic Bid, actually cheering and several Christians saying "Praise the Lord" when the committee announced their selection of Rio de Janiero.

Only turns me more and more against these assholes.

[BulletproofLandshark]

3. If they can't provide adequate security for visiting heads of state

then South Africa never should have been awarded the World Cup in the first place.

[matt819]

4. Give it a rest

South Africa hosted the World Cup in 1995 and did just fine. And they'll do just fine now. It's pretty normal to be apprehensive about it.

[muriel_volestrangler]

6. There is a bit of difference in scale between the rugby and football world cups, though

There are only about 8 rugby nations with any sizeable travelling support. The football world cup will have 32 nations, pretty much all with a lot of potential supporters, plus many from countries that didn't qualify.

[htuttle]

5. People all over the planet pray over the World Cup

Especially during the final.