CAPE TOWN, Feb 7: South Africa President Thabo Mbeki has echoed calls made last week by his predecessor Nelson Mandela, saying on Thursday that England and New Zealand should play World Cup matches in Zimbabwe and Kenya as scheduled.

“I think (Mandela’s) right,” Mbeki told reporters at Tuinhuis, his official residence in Cape Town, after being presented to the South Africa team.

“Naturally we have been quite involved in the build-up to the games in Zimbabwe and Kenya, particularly in matters relating to security.

“We are satisfied with the security of the matches in both countries, and also with the security of the players.

“We fully support the decision of the (International Cricket Council) ICC that security concerns in both Zimbabwe and Kenya have been resolved.”

England and New Zealand have refused to play matches in Harare and Nairobi respectively over safety concerns, with England requesting for their Feb 13 game to be switched to South Africa.

New Zealand, meanwhile, have yet to put in an official request for a venue switch but have already warned they could take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.

Both countries, however, were told by the ICC last week to play the matches as planned, following security inspections of Zimbabwe and Kenya.

“When people say that it’s for security reasons they don’t want to go (to Zimbabwe and Kenya), we just don’t understand,” added Mbeki.

“When we say here are professionals who have dealt with the (security) matter, we then add please say what the problems is.

“(Former) President Mandela was perfectly correct to say the games should go ahead and the response from the Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU) is understandable.”

Mbeki said he had been briefed by the ICC’s Safety Committee, who had visited Kenya to assess whether the country had addressed earlier safety concerns.

He added that South Africa would lend support to Kenya in the form of air surveillance as well as deploying members of the South African police.

On a lighter note, Mbeki expressed confidence that South Africa could become the first host team to win the World Cup.

“We have a great confidence in this team and the people have a great love for you,” he said, after being presented to captain Shaun Pollock and his team mates.

“I hope they will support you as you progress to the final, which we will win.”—Reuters