JOHANNESBURG, Sept 27: South Africa’s new President Kgalema Motlanthe reassured FIFA boss Sepp Blatter on Friday that the World Cup host was on track to meet 2010 deadlines, a joint statement said.

This comes after a week of political turmoil in South Africa in which Motlanthe took office on Thursday to replace former president Thabo Mbeki who stepped down before the end of his term at the behest of the ruling party.

“We remain on course to host in 2010 the best FIFA World Cup ever — an African World Cup. We would like to assure Africa and the world that the deadlines set by FIFA will be met,” Motlanthe told Blatter by telephone, quoted in a joint statement from the South African government and FIFA.

South Africa will host next year’s FIFA Confederations Cup and Africa’s first World Cup from June 11 to July 11, 2010.

Blatter said Motlanthe’s phone-call “underlines the importance” of 2010 to the South African government. “I was pleased to hear from him that the 2010 FIFA World Cup is fully supported by all political and governmental authorities and that everything will be done to make 2010 an unforgettable success,” he added.

Blatter visited South Africa last week and expressed confidence in a successful tournament.—AFP