Maradona visits Soccer City stadium

Danny Jordaan, the head of the local organizing committee, accompanied Maradona to the Soccer City, where the World Cup opening ceremony and final will be held. Maradona said he was impressed with the progress of the stadium, where he hopes his team will be playing in the final in July.

January 22, 2010 04:02 pm | Updated 04:04 pm IST - JOHANNESBURG

Diego Maradona blows a kiss to the students of the Selekelala Secondary School in Soweto, South Africa on Thursday.

Diego Maradona blows a kiss to the students of the Selekelala Secondary School in Soweto, South Africa on Thursday.

Argentina coach Diego Maradona toured the main stadium in Johannesburg for the World Cup on Thursday.

Maradona also handed out gifts to children and football players at a school in Soweto’s Orlando East area.

Danny Jordaan, the head of the local organizing committee, accompanied Maradona to the Soccer City, where the World Cup opening ceremony and final will be held. The former Argentine legend exchanged football shirts with Jordaan and showed some of his skills by playing with one of the Jabulani footballs that will be used during the World Cup.

Maradona was also accompanied by the president of the South African Football Association Kirsten Nematandani and its chief executive Lesly Sedibe.

Maradona said he was impressed with the progress of the stadium, where he hopes his team will be playing in the final in July.

“They did a great job, a big congratulation to all the people who worked here,” he said. “I have been to many stadiums and this one gave me a big impression and I hope we can use it for the final.”

Jordaan said he was inspired by Maradona’s visit.

“It’s wonderful to have one of the great players of the world to bring a message of warmth and support but also of the expectation of what this World Cup will deliver to the world of football and to the people the world,” he said.

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