As the world gears up for Sunday night’s historic World Cup final in Johannesburg between the Netherlands and Spain – two teams which have never played in the final before – allegations have surfaced of match-fixing by the Nigerian team, which crashed out in the first round.
The BBC has reported that Fifa was warned ahead of the tournament that the Super Eagles were “vulnerable” to match-fixing.
Nigeria was out of the tournament after defeats by Argentina and Greece, prompting Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan to withdraw the team completely from international contests. He later rescinded this.
The BBC said an unnamed official from Uefa, which has been conducting a wider investigation into match-fixing involving European teams, raised concerns about Nigeria, including suspicions over betting patterns.
Fifa does not deny being warned but says it has “no indication” of match-fixing in any of the World Cup matches.
BBC Newsnight reported that the Uefa investigator became suspicious during qualifying rounds of the World Cup. It was alleged that certain Nigerian players came forward and said their team was “vulnerable to manipulation”.
On the morning of Nigeria’s first match, he alerted Fifa’s new Early Warning System, set up to look for signs of match-rigging, of his concerns.
The BBC reported that German journalist Christian Bergmann also had a call just before the first Nigerian game from a Uefa contact, who said there were suggestions that “some players from the Nigerian team are actually involved in some form of manipulation”.
After the Newsnight allegations were aired, Fifa responded: “What we can say is that at least until today no information provided by the informants to Fifa in relation to any potential match-fixing activities during the 2010 World Cup have proved to have any substance.
“Furthermore, we can also say that there is no indication whatsoever until today of any match-fixing situations during any of the matches.”
But for the fans from more than 200 countries who will watch the closing ceremony and the final match, the important question will be: who will win.
International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge yesterday joined the many sports stars, journalists and political leaders who have praised the country’s hosting of the World Cup, congratulating South Africa on an “outstanding success” with the games.
Dignitaries and thousands of fans, including the popular Orange army, have headed to Joburg for Sunday night’s big match.
The closing ceremony starts at 6.30pm and is expected to be a colourful affair. The cast of 780 will celebrate the soccer fans’ experience, the World Cup itself and South Africa.
It will also feature artists such as Jozi, Stoan Seate, Slikour, Zuluboy, Abigail Kubeka, Theo Kgosinkwe and Nianell. Also in the line-up are flautist Wouter, Nigeria’s 2Face, Ghana’s Samini and popular local traditional group Ihashi Elimhlophe. Columbian songstress Shakira will perform her World Cup hit Waka Waka.
The Department of International Relations and Co-operation said last week that they were expecting 15 heads of state to attend.
Gates to Soccer City open at 2.30pm on Sunday, six hours ahead of the kick-off at 8.30pm. Soccer City is sold out for the game.
In Cape Town the Fan Park on the Grand Parade will open for the last time at 1pm, while the Fan Jols viewing areas around the city open at 11am. Fans are advised to dress warmly against the cold.