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South Africa - World Cup

NPR's Kenneth Walker reports from Pretoria on the intense disappointment and anger that spread across South Africa today when the governing body for international soccer named Germany as the host of the 2006 World Cup. Many had expected South Africa to be selected, and South Africans were prepared for the country's largest celebrations since Nelson Mandela was elected president in 1994. South Africa would have been the first African nation to host the Cup. Winning that honor would have also been a huge financial and political boost for the country.

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