Good day sir. During your Presidency of the world governing body, FIFA, 1961 to 1974, you annoyed the entire African continent to such on extent that Africa boycotted the eighth edition of the World Cup, hosted in England 1966 and which the English controversially won by beating West Germany, four two.

Africa had long been agitating for one or two automatic slots in the World Cup finals, which your regime scornfully turned down on the excuse that Africa was economically unstable and their lack of technical knowledge would hinder the World Cup. The best you could do was to allocate a place to be contested for by Africa and Asia, while Europe enjoyed the lion’s share.

This arrangement was unacceptable to Africa and when they boycotted England in 1966, you climbed down from your high horse, gave Africa one placing in Mexico 1970 which Morocco won at the expense of Nigeria and Sudan. Even though Morocco did not progress beyond the first round, they gave a good account by holding Bulgaria to a draw. Sir Stanley, you must have chuckled when in 1974, Zaire, who clinched Africa’s sole ticket, were humiliated by Yugoslavia who pounded them nine nil.

The purpose of writing this to you is to acquaint you of development that has taken place. Africa which you held with disdain had just hosted the 19th edition of the World Cup, and to the glory of God, it was the best World Cup finals EVER.

Your predecessor and founder of the World Cup Jules Rimet of France, who reigned from 1921 to 1954, would be the happiest man were he to witness the phenomenal and spectacular show that South Africa put on display. Sir Stanley do you know that Africa which you denied one slot in the 1960s, paraded six at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa? Yes, apart from the hosts, South Africa, five other African countries went through grueling qualifying matches and Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Cameroon and Algeria scaled the hurdles.

As a matter of fact, all the six African countries were no strangers to FIFA World Cup. Sir Stanley, do you know how Africa got so much? Your opponent at the 1974 Congress who defeated you hands down, was a Brazilian, Dr. Joao Havelange got block voting from Africa, Asia, and South America.

Havelange based his election campaign on the need for equity and fair play, and promised to increase the African slots by leaps and bounds.

Tunisia, the 1978 World Cup sole African qualifier, did Africa proud. Defending World Cup champions, West Germany struggled hard to hold Tunisia to a goalless draw, Tunisia spanked veteran World Cup campaigners, Mexico, which unfortunately led a Mexican fan to commit suicide. The only loss suffered by Tunisia came from Poland who won one nil.

Stunned by the impressive Tunisian performance, Havelange kept his promise by increasing Africa’s to two in 1982, and in Mexico 86, Morocco proved beyond any doubt that Africa had indeed arrived at the global level by topping their league table after the first round which included England, Poland and Portugal.

So Sir Stanley from your days when Africa were short-changed, today Africa command five slots in the World Cup final.

The icing on the cake was the hosting on the African soil for the first time. South Africa should have won the hosting bid for 2006, which went to Germany as a result of voting conspiracy by a New Zealand geriatric.

Sir Stanley, times have changed. South Africa have introduced new trends, vitality and global camaraderie to the World Cup. The next hosts, Brazil are going to face a lot of challenges as South Africa had set a bench mark, difficult to meet, let alone surpass.

How about the performances on the field of play? England, your country, as always blew hot and cold, gave the impression of coming to Africa and pick the Cup without sweating. In their group matches England ended up behind USA. Can you believe that? And eventually crashed out with Germany whipping them four one. All the other big shots fell by the wayside - Brazil, Italy, Argentina, Uruguay, and France.

Sir Stanley, as a European centered FIFA leader, your joy knew no bound when the World Cup turned out to be an all European affair. When Spain, whom I had publicly announced as the favourites to carry the Cup, a week before the tournament began, met Netherlands in the final, I knew only God can deny Spain from the Cup, no human beings can.

What about African performances? I hate to say this - Africans are still lagging behind. Out of the six World Cup finalists, including the hosts, only Ghana got to the quarter-finals, the same as Cameroon in 1990 and Senegal in 2006. Africa thus got 16.7 percent which is worse than the twenty percent in 2006.

If you were still alive, I wonder what would be your reaction to the fact that 80% of African players were Europe based, and all the African teams to South Africa relied on foreign coaches except Algeria, who kept faith in their own Rabah Saadane.

On the closing day of the World Cup, something unexpected happened. 84,490 people including yours truly, were at the Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg and on two occasions that FIFA President, Sepp Blatter was mentioned on the public address system, there were boos from all the corners of the Stadium? Blatter has become an institution within FIFA and the Czar of world football. All other sports have introduced technology to enhance officiating, but Blatter said no.

Other leaders of international sports federations – athletics, boxing, cycling, tennis, cricket etc have all embraced video technology but Blatter’s refusal is causing painful controversy among football lovers all over the world. The booing of Blatter on the final day of the World Cup was significant. The Swiss who has served up to 35 years in office, first as Secretary General and as President since 1998 may need a break so that football can move on.