South Africa Goal Keeper Sustained Injury

Emile Baron dreamed to be a contestant at the 2010 Fifa WorldCup but this South Africa goalkeeper Emile Baron looks set to miss the World Cup after surgery on his shoulder.

Baron sustained the injury in mid-March while he was away with Bafana Bafana at a national training camp in Brazil.

The SuperSport United player was initially told the injury may heal in time, but his club have now confirmed it is unlikely he will be fit before the June 11 kick-off after he went under the knife last Wednesday.

"I don't know how to explain this man; I'm disappointed because it looks like I will sit out for four months in order to make a full recovery," Baron said. "I underwent surgery on Wednesday and it was successful but there is nothing I can do at this stage, just to rest and wait to make a full recovery and any thing can happen."

Baron, 30 yo, who has also played for Norwegian club Lillestrom and Kaizer Chiefs, has six caps for South Africa, but was only expected to be a back-up to Carlos Alberto Parreira first-choice goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune at the finals.

Health Tips and Insurance Travel in SOuth Africa fot You

Some good tips from SelfTour :

HEALTH

* It is always a good idea to take out medical insurance with your travel agent when you buy your tickets.

* Vaccinations and other medical precautions are needed for travel to some countries, and advise is easily obtained through your doctor or chemist. Have them well before your departure, to allow time for recovery from any side effects.

* If you are on a prescription or if you take a specific medicine, take enough away with you, as you may not be able to get replacements.  Carry your medical prescription clearly stating what medication you are taking just in case you have to purchase more during your summer holiday vacation.  In this day of illegal drugs it is wise to carry them in the manufactures box/container so if stopped by a customs official he can clearly see the name and know that these are not illegal drugs.

* Always carry a doctor’s certificate for any prescribed drugs so you don't have any problems at customs.

* If you have prescription spectacles, carry a copy of the prescription for easy replacement should you lose or break them.

* Kruger Park and Namibia are Malaria areas - ask your family chemist for the right anti malaria pills for your country of destination. Remember to start 2 weeks before you depart and continue 2 weeks after returning home. We do not recommend ‘Larium’ as there have been many reports of adverse side effect.  Small babies must not be taken into Malaria areas.

*Always carry a few basic items from Elastoplasts, head ache pills, & something for upset tummies.

* A word of caution on drinking water – The tap water all over South Africa is normally perfectly safe but if you are not acclimatised to it or have a sensitive tummy you could spend a great deal of your holiday in various bathrooms. This warning also covers ice in your drinks and rinsing ones mouth after brushing your teeth. All the international canned drinks are available as well as various bottled spring waters. What has become very popular are the flavoured spring waters and they have the added advantage of a screw-on cap so they can be saved for later without leaking – very refreshing

INSURANCE

As you are probably aware, health insurance is an integral part of your travel package, and should be purchased at the same time as you purchase your travel tickets. 

Your existing house hold insurance policy may well have All Risks cover which is international cover and where you can specify various important & expensive items – jewellery, cameras etc. Strongly recommend you phone your insurance agent beforehand and ask him how much cover you have under the All Risks section for overseas travel.

South Africa Airlines Preparation

South Africa has launched an inquiry into possible price-fixing by domestic airlines and officials have expressed concern about huge price increases by hotels, especially those outside the official grading structure.

“There will be no ripping off of any of the passengers by artificially increasing the airline ticket prices,” Motlanthe said, although substantial increases have already taken place.

South Africa’s airports are 90 percent ready to handle 120,000 extra flights — double the normal capacity — during the World Cup, the company running them said on Tuesday.

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) said preparations would be complete by June after a 17 billion rand ($2.22 billion), program of updates and expansion.

“With exactly 100 days to go, we are confident that… we will be ready to meet the requirements of this major event,” said Chris Hlekane, General Manager of Johannesburg’s O.R Tambo International Airport, which will be the World Cup hub.

South Africa has invested billions of dollars getting ready for the continent’s first World Cup, but hopes to recoup that and more through investment and tourism in the years to come.

Looking for World Cup Tickets

If you have not yet had success in obtaining world cup tickets via the FIFA website but are determined to get your hands on some tickets for a World Cup match in South Africa next year, our message to you, is be careful and keep trying at FIFA.


It was reported in September that up to 100 websites were selling tickets that don´t exist and as the event gets closer more and more of these websites are going to appear with the same promise of tickets for matches you thought impossible to get.


So, our message to be careful is an important one. Some of these websites will look very much like they have the tickets or that they are authorised to sell tickets and they might even advertise this fact - it doesn´t mean that they are or that they can.


Where to buy tickets?
Your first port of call should be the FIFA website. Phase three of the ticketing process has begun and it closes on January 22nd. After that, you only have two more phases to get tickets through FIFA and this will be the cheapest and most effective way for individual tickets.


Tour operators selling World Cup tickets
FIFA have also approved a large number of tour operators all over the world to sell tickets as part of a package. If you are looking for travel and accommodation with a ticket there are a number of companies that can arrange this for you.


Fortunately, FIFA have also created a list of approved tour operators and you can view that list here. If you want to be confident that you are buying a ticket from an approved supplier then you must check this list. If they are not listed they are not approved - check the list first!

- www.southafrica.info -