South Africa to fund Nations Cup

The welcoming committee for Thabo Mbeki's trip to Mali

South Africa's government says it has agreed to help Mali host the 2002 African Nations Cup.

Government spokesman Joel Netshitenzhe said South Africa would probably limit its assistance to air and road transport.

But he did not rule out other forms of help.

"The approach South Africa is considering is to do a full assessment of the needs and then decide," he said.

Telecommunications are one area where Mali is lacking, especially in the venues outside Bamako.

Only the capital had held an international football match until this week, when Segou and Sikasso played host to games in the Amilcar Cabral Cup.

And accommodation for players, officials journalists and fans in some of five venue cities has still to be completed.

Ten weeks left

The South African Government said it would make a contribution and would also press the private sector to do the same.

The announcement comes after South Africa's president Thabo Mbeki visited Mali earlier this week.

Mali also sent a delegation to South Africa to lobby for funds.

The Nations Cup begins in two months time on January 19, and organisers admit that they still have plenty of work to do before accommodation, communications and stadia are ready.

Some say agreeing to host the Amilcar Cabral Cup was misconceived, as all effort needs to be directed to Mali 2002.