With minutes ticking by and the countdown to the 2010 World Cup bid now at its crucial moment, the South African Council of Churches will be hosting a special prayer service at its headquarters, Khotso House, Johannesburg, on Friday, 14 May 2004, at 8h30.

"We will be praying, and expressing solidarity, that the God of Africa lend support to our country to win the bid to host the 2010 soccer spectacle.

"As the South African Council of Churches, we are fully behind our country winning the bid. South Africa is a miracle country. In 1994 a miracle happened, and against all expectations, we had peaceful elections, defying the prophets of doom who had predicted a bloodbath.

"We believe another miracle is in the offing. We think our God and our ancestors will be on our side, and will emerge victorious.

"Who ever thought the years of apartheid tyranny and oppression would end? The doubting Thomases think this is not going to happen; it is only a figment of our imagination. But we will confound them and win the bid, creating another miracle," said the Council's General Secretary, Dr Molefe Tsele.

Tsele said is South Africa won the bid, as he thinks it will, "many good things in the economic front will happen that will add to the country's commitment of poverty alleviation and job creation".

"It is not just simply winning the bid for its own sake. Our economy will be boosted by something to the tune of R10 billion, a factor that will create thousands and thousands of jobs, and directly affect the jobless poor," he said.

The announcement for the winning bid is due to be made in Zurich, Switzerland, on Saturday, 15 May.

For more information, contact: Fr. Joe Mdhlela, 083 641 1281