Former South African president Mandela, a known football supporter, has become one of the strongest rallying points for the bid committee to call on international community to allow the Cup to travel to the fast developing continent.

The man who is trying to bring the 2006 World Cup to South Africa is an influential African National Congress (ANC) leader Danny Jordaan -- a former political prisoner who learnt his skills in football administration on Robben Island.

Jordaan, who had been imprisoned on Robben Island in the early 80s for his activities against the Aparthied rule, was responsible for organising football matches on the island.

``The matches were intensely fought between ANC, the Communist Party and the Pan Africanist Congress,''Jordaan recalled.

The battle for hosting the 2006 event will also be equally intense. With two European footballing giants -- England and Germany -- and soccer superpower Brazil also in the race, the contest is far from won.

England, Germany, Brazil are the frontrunners, with South Africa and Morocco also in the race.

While Morocco may be fighting its own battle, Jordaan said South Africa deserved to be given a chance despite its deteriorating security situation proving a stumbling block to the bid's acceptance by Fifa.

``I find it difficult to see why people are so negative about South Africa,'' Jordaan said.

``People who have never even been to this country are writing articles about crime... That everything here is misery and chaos,'' he rued.

Jordaan said the country will be able to check the crime situation and provide adequate security for players and visiting supporters.

South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world.

``We are not saying there is no crime here. But everycountry in the bidding has its social problems. Look at England, they have hooligans.''