SA police chief 'prays' US are knocked out of World Cup

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South Africa's police chief is hoping the US team are knocked out of the football World Cup early on - to avoid a visit by President Barack Obama.

General Bheki Cele told MPs Mr Obama could fly in if the US make it to the knockout stage.

"Our famous prayer is that the Americans don't make the second round," he said, while insisting his forces could provide sufficient security.

He said 43 heads of state would go to South Africa for the Cup.

It is the first world cup being hosted by any African nation.

On Friday, thousands of South Africans queued for hours in Cape Town's Khayelitsha township to have their photo taken with the World Cup trophy.

The solid gold trophy is starting a month-long tour of the country before the World Cup starts on 11 June.

However, protocol dictates that only heads of state and tournament winners are allowed to actually touch it.

On its arrival, the trophy was taken by Fifa head Jerome Valcke to Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg.