Zakumi a hit with Spanish fans
16 October 2008
2010 Fifa World Cup mascot Zakumi caused quite a stir at a Spanish football team training session in Brussels on Tuesday, giving superstars Fernando Torres and Iker Casillas some competition for the attention of the fans.
South Africa's official world cup mascot and Local Organising Committee (LOC) CEO Danny Jordaan met up with the Spanish team ahead of their World Cup qualifying match against Belgium on Wednesday night, which Spain won 2-1.
The funky spotted yellow leopard with the green dreadlocks caused quite a stir, receiving a rousing reception from the 500 or so boisterous Spanish fans who attended the team's training session.
Zakumi was revealed to the world last month.
"We brought Zakumi to Brussels to meet the Spanish team, and the response from the fans has just been wonderful," Jordaan said.
"The reaction to Zakumi has been warm and welcoming, and he certainly generates a lot of energy and excitement. If the response in Spain to Zakumi is anything to go by, we're sure to have a huge celebration in our country next year and during the 2010 Fifa World Cup."
Jordaan and Zakumi handed Spanish captain Casillas and coach Vicente Del Bosque a specially made Spanish replica team shirt bearing the official emblem of the Fifa Confederations Cup 2009, for which the Spaniards have already qualified.
The Spanish captain praised Zakumi, saying he was a "cool and nice mascot". Casillas said his team was looking forward to the tournament in 2009 and visiting South Africa.
"We really look forward to the Fifa Confederations Cup 2009, which is a very important tournament for us," Casillas said. "It will be a very tough competition, with very strong teams, but we look forward to the challenge.
"I really love South Africa. It's a beautiful country," Casillas added. "I was there in 1997 for a junior tournament, the Meridian Cup, and I look forward to returning there next year."
Taking place in four South African cities from 14 to 28 June 2009, the Fifa Confederations Cup features the champions of all six Fifa confederations, as well as reigning World Cup champions Italy and the 2010 host, South Africa.
European champions Spain are joined by the five other continental champions - Brazil, Egypt, Iraq, New Zealand and the United States - in the line-up for Confederations Cup.
With three of the world's top six teams and the biggest names in the modern game - like Torres, Kaka, Robinho and Andrea Pirlo - lining up, the Confederations Cup promises to be an exciting 2010 World Cup appetiser.
"I think the teams who have qualified for the Fifa Confederations Cup are the ones playing the best football in the world today, and it's important that we engage with them," Jordaan said.
"Spain is currently the number one team in the world and are filled with some of the game's biggest superstars.
"They will be a very popular team during the Fifa Confederations Cup, which will be a huge opportunity for South Africa and also a huge test for our own Bafana Bafana."
The draw for the Confederations Cup is scheduled to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa on 22 November 2008.
Source: BuaNews
