Rupiah graces Brazil, Cote d’Ivoire game

Rupiah graces Brazil, Cote d’Ivoire game
By Augustine Mukoka in Johannesburg
Mon 21 June 2010, 13:20 CAT

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda on Sunday night made part of the 84, 455 spectators
that saw Brazil beat Cote d'Ivoire 3-1 at Soccer City.

President Banda, who opted out of the opening ceremony on June 11 when all
African heads of state were invited, arrived in Johannesburg around midday
Sunday and later watched the match.

President Banda and his entourage were ushered to the VIP suite a few
minutes before the 20:30 kick-off where he followed proceedings of an
entertaining Group G fixture.

Apart from first lady Thandiwe, foreign affairs minister Kabinga Pande,
government chief whip Vernon Mwaanga, President Banda was also accompanied
by State House staff to the match.

South Africa 2010 local organising committee spokesperson Ritche Mkhondo
referred all queries on President Banda's presence at the match to the
Zambian High Commission in Tshwana.

"Even if he was invited by the LOC, the protocol aspect of his visit is
done by that country's representatives here in South Africa," he said.

Officials at the Zambian High Commission in Pretoria directed all queries of
President Banda's itinerary while in South Africa to his press aide Dickson
Jere.

Three weeks ago, President Banda told journalists at State House about his
desire to watch the Brazil v Cote d'Ivoire match at the 2010 World Cup.

President Banda also revealed his affection for Brazilian football style.

Meanwhile, Brazil coach Carlos Dunga told a post match press conference at
Soccer City that star midfielder Kaka's matching orders were inappropriate.

Dunga condemned French referee Stephanne Lennoy for sending off Kaka in the
88th minute in an incident television replays suggested was exaggerated by
Cote d'Ivoire Kader Keita.

Kaka's send off was part of the nasty drama that characterised the closing
stages of the match that threatened an otherwise interesting affair when
tempers flared between the two sides.

The Real Madrid midfielder was involved in two of Brazil's goals as his
neatly released pass set off Luis Fabiano for the opener in the 25th minute
before his left wing cross found Elano for the third goal on 62 minutes.

Cote d'Ivoire coach Sven Goran Erikkson advised Dunga not to complain about
Kaka's send-off but also analyse Luis Fabiano's 50th minute goal which, he
noted, should have been ruled out for handball.

Overrall, Dunga was delighted his side had secured a knockout stage place
where they face Spain, Chile, Honduras or Switzerland from Group H next
week.

However, the Brazilian should first contest the group top slot when they
face Portugal in Durban this Friday.

"The players were extremely careful and focused on this game because we knew
the strength of Cote d'Ivoire," he said.

"We also had to be patient with them and I am happy we moved the ball around
as we always want."

Cote d'Ivoire coach Eriksson admitted five-time champions Brazil was a
quality team capable of winning the 2010 World Cup.

Chelsea skipper Didier Drogba scored a 79th minute face-saver for the Cote
d'Ivoire but prospects for all six African teams crossing over the group
stage remain bleak at the competition.