Euphoria tempered by criticism

8220;Infighting, lacklustre refereeing, misbehaving fans and unprofessional conduct have no place in an organisation that has now invited the world into our backyard,8221; it said.

South Africa has not experienced any of the major attacks which have hit Asia and Europe in the past couple of years but violent crime remains an issue, with the country8217;s murder rate still one of the highest in the world.

8220;Baby Democracy8230; has received her greatest birthday gift,8221; The Sunday Independent said in an editorial, taking note of the nation8217;s decade of democracy following the end of apartheid in 1994.

8220;We can only deliver on our promise to the world if we iron out the problems that have bedevilled our football administration. Our matches must start on time and the security a games should be drastically upgraded,8221; the newspaper said.

Although South Africa secured the right to stage the world8217;s most popular soccer event, SAFA has been blighted by incompetence over the past few years. Coaches have come and gone, while some players have yet to be paid for competing in January8217;s African Nations Cup finals in Tunisia. The Sunday Times said that May 15 would go down as one of the greatest days in the history of the nation as the country became 8220;a team8221; of more than 40 million people.