SOCCER:THE SCALE of the last-minute preparations would hardly convince the sceptics they have been wrong to suspect this World Cup might not run entirely smoothly. For the hosts, though, it is simply renewed evidence of their determination to do Africa proud during the next 31 days.

No fewer than 50 of the continent’s heads of state are due in Soccer City this afternoon when the South Africans and Mexicans take the field for the opening game.

A few will be eager to see their own national teams eclipse the locals in terms of matches won and rounds reached but all will be hoping a successful tournament can make a major point on behalf of the region as a whole.

For the two key figures involved in South Africa’s successful bid, Danny Jordaan and Nelson Mandela, the event will be the culmination of almost a quarter century of work.

As far back as 1987, Jordaan was leading delegations from the old South African Soccer Federation to meetings abroad with ANC officials where the idea of using football to progress the cause of democracy was high on the agenda.

Mandela knew well the potential of the game to help reshape the political landscape and after minority rule was ended neither man seems to have paused for long before shifting their ambitions upwards.

The country controversially missed out on hosting 2006 by just one vote but might feel now it was not an entirely bad thing that New Zealand’s Charles Dempsey decided to abstain in the last round of voting back in 2000 after having consistently voted for the South Africans through the earlier stages of the process.

Four years later they were ready and when the decision came down to a choice between Morocco and South Africa, Mandela’s towering presence made it seem like a one-horse race.

Now 91, he is old and frail but perhaps the most celebrated news in these parts this week was the announcement he too intends to make an appearance at today’s game, even if he is highly unlikely to stay for much more than the opening ceremony and kick-off.

If Africa is hoping the tournament goes well, then those involved with the tournament are desperate to see the locals prosper over the next few weeks.

Sadly, the team cannot remotely be considered as contenders but their recent improvement under returned manager Carlos Alberto Parreira has at least suggested they have a reasonable chance of avoiding the ignominy of becoming the first host nation to fail to make it beyond the opening round of games.

They are, of course, fortunate to find themselves in what is probably the entire competition’s most open and unpredictable group.

Having waited so long for the opportunity to face the game’s major powers on their own soil, the strongest of the African sides all seem to have been hit by significant injuries, with the prospects of what looked to be the strongest African side, the Ivory Coast, hugely dependent on Didier Drogba’s ability to play despite a serious elbow problem.

The tournament also goes ahead without the continent’s most experienced operators in this sort of event, Cup of Nations Champions Egypt, who were narrowly beaten by Algeria for a place here last November and so it seems any African presence beyond the second round would be a pleasant surprise.

The widely held view is the title will go to one of two other continental champions, Spain or Brazil, with the Europeans the favourites with both the bookmakers and most pundits on the basis of their hugely impressive form in Euro 2008 and an almost flawless qualifying campaign for this event.

Certainly, Vicente Del Bosque will have an enviable array of talent to choose from and having shaken the title of serial underachievers two years ago, there will be no doubts about the mental capacity of the Spanish to deliver on the big occasions.

Brazil, though, have quite an allure about them too and with three of the back five that power Inter Milan to an outstanding treble this year, as well as an attacking unit based around Kaka and Luis Fabiano that consistently seems to come up with the goods, Dunga’s men may just have a fractional edge over their European rivals.

Outside of those two, there are perhaps half a dozen countries that can think seriously about securing the title, with the likes of Argentina, the Netherlands, Italy and England all potential champions in the event that things go their way. All, however, look vulnerable in one department or another over the course of such a testing event, whether it is through, for instance, the rather erratic nature of the coach (Argentina) or the chronic lack of remaining cover in key positions (England).

Whoever wins, there would seem to be a firm basis for expecting a memorable tournament over the coming weeks.

The referees will again be under pressure to provide protection to the more creative players and the weather will not be a problem for any of the leading sides.

The setting too promises to catch the eye with a series of impressive stadiums, many in wonderful surroundings, providing a great stage on which the drama can unfold.

Shaken by the horror of the attack on the Togolese in Angola at the start of the year, the African leaders who gather at Soccer City this afternoon know only too well they all stand to suffer a little when things go badly on their continent.

Between now and July 11th, though, they will be hoping to bask in the reflected glory of an outstanding festival of sport. Nothing is certain but if effort alone was enough then the hosts would be sure to deliver. As it is, Africa, not to mention the world, will be united in rooting for them.