Zuma Meets South African Team Ahead of Cup of Nations

South Africa's President Zuma visited the country's national football team on Tuesday, just four days before they take on Cape Verde in the opening match of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Published

4 months ago

Categories

Sports

Topics

Sports

People

Jacob Zuma

Places

South Africa

Transcript

SHOTLIST: SOWETO, SOUTH AFRICA, JANUARY 15, 2013 SOURCE: AFPTV -VAR members of South African football team walking into Orlando Stadium, singing "Umshini wami" SOUNDBITE 1 Jacob Zuma (man), President of South Africa (English, 31 sec): "The entire country is behind them, even those who are critical, it's because the love they have for our team. Therefore the country will be behind them. And I said, I want to touch the cup because if it is taken by other people, I won't touch it, I'll just give it to those who will be passing it on. I want to touch it. And touching it means, we should be there at the final, and we should take it." - VAR of Zuma with team SOUNDBITE 2 Fikile Mbalula (man), Minister of Sports and Recreation (English, 22 sec): "The stadium is almost full for our number one game, other stadiums are packing like nobody's business. We are overcoming our challenges, organizing a big tournament within a very short space of time. And we are oozing with confidence. The president has been here, he has seen the national team, he has spoken the last words to them today, giving them the marching orders." -Zuma shaking hands with coach Gordon Igesund --------------------------------------- NO AFP TEXT STORY