Johannesburg  - There were smiles all around on Saturday as South Africa took another step towards hosting the 2010 football World Cup.

A short, but colourful, draw ceremony for the 2009 Confederations Cup at the Sandton Convention Centre went off without a hitch, the hosts were given a very favourable draw and coaches and officials of the other seven competing teams were also satisfied.

Bafana Bafana will play Iraq in the opening game in Ellis Park on June 14, 2009, while New Zealand face Euro 2008 champions Spain in the other Group A game on the same day.

The other group sees world champions Italy take on the defending Confederations Cup champions Brazil, as well as Egypt and US in the competition that will be played in four venues June 14-28, 2009.

The draw in the Sandton Convention Centre not only had an African feel to it, seven contestants of the Miss World competition, that will be held in the same venue on December 13, added glamour and glitz.

The only team not represented by a Miss World contestant was Iraq, but the reigning Miss World officiated for the Asian country.

South African coach Joel Santana said that he was very proud to represent the country. "We have the support of people in the country. They are committed to helping us in this challenge."

He dismissed any talk of his side being in an easy group. "We will be playing very strong teams. They do not simply come here to walk around, they come here to play, but I am optimistic that we can do well."

Italy assistant coach Narciso Pezzotti, who addressed the post draw press conference in place of Marcello Lippi, said that they held the Confederations Cup in high esteem.

"However, we are looking towards the 2010 World Cup and the Confederations Cup will be an ideal opportunity to use some of the younger players and give them exposure ahead of the World Cup."

Earlier, the 50-minute draw for the so-called Championship of Champions was a chance for South Africa to tout its attractions to the more than 350,000 visitors expected at the World Cup.

Performances by football-dribbling pantsula (township hip hop) dancers gave a more contemporary feel to a programme of traditional choral singing and African dance.

"In years gone by Africa was known as the dark continent. Not today, not again," Irvin Khoza, chairman of the local organizing committee of the 2010 World Cup told about
450 guests and journalists at the Sandton Convention Centre.

He then promised football's controlling body FIFA that South Africa would not let them down.

As if to symbolize Africa's changing fortunes, a young girl, surrounded by singers and dancers, threw a fistful of gold dust into the audience. (dpa)