The recently concluded World Cup has helped the nation as a whole by boosting the growth of the economy as much as by one percent. "We had forecast that the 2010 FIFA World Cup would add 0.5 percentage points to annual growth this year," Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan told business leaders at a dinner late Thursday.

But, he said, when spending on stadiums and infrastructure since 2006 was taken into account that rose to a one percentage point increase.

South Africa's all-time leading scorer Benni McCarthy missed out on the World Cup host's final 23-man squad Tuesday.

McCarthy, the West Ham striker, was one of six players cut by coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.

The 32-year-old McCarthy has struggled with his fitness and been criticized at home for being overweight. He's scored 32 goals in 78 games since his debut in 1997. McCarthy had the first goal for South Africa at a World Cup when he scored against Denmark at France 1998.

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South Africa is ready to host this year's World Cup, said a top official, countering what she described as "known and unknown sources that are hell-bent" on sullying the nation's image ahead of the massive sporting event.

South Africa star Steven Pienaar has dismissed England's chances of winning the World Cup in

his home country, claiming instead that Argentina will overcome an unconvincing qualification campaign to emerge victorious.

The Everton midfielder believes other big teams such as Italy and Germany will fancy their chances against Fabio Capello's men during this summer's tournament.

He said: 'They have a reason to feel confident, definitely, because in the past there were egos in their team but they play as a team now, no more about individuals. They have got the