http://www.soccerstarng.mobi/story_display_page.php?cover_story_id=919

The traditional FIFA World Cup trophy tour began atop of
the Corcovado Mountain in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where
the famous Christ the Redeemer statue, one of the
largest crafts in the world stands, overlooking the city,
especially the iconic Maracana Stadium.
The trophy is currently on the Oceanic Island of Vanuatu,
as it was scheduled to leave Fiji Islands yesterday.
It was the third time that the world’s most coveted single
sports’ prize would go round the world. But on like the
previous two occasions, Nigeria had been left out this
time.
The Coca-Cola Company sponsored the tour, which first
took place in 2006. It was part of the exclusive
partnership, which FIFA has with one of its longest-
standing corporate partners. The trophy would travel
round the world for nine months before returning to
Brazil, the World Cup hosts.
It was meant to travel the six confederations and make
stops in 88 countries in 267 days. Sadly, Nigeria was
excluded this time around, though the trophy would visit
eight other African countries, including the troubled
Egypt, which is one of the 10 African countries jostling
for places in the next year’s World Cup.
The other African countries to enjoy the trophy tour are
Ghana, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Kenya, Tanzania and
South Africa.
The iconic trophy would enter Africa through Egypt on
November 14, a day before the country faces Ghana in
the return leg of the final qualifier for the World Cup.
Since Egypt would have the trophy in its territory for
three days, it would have the rare opportunity of hosting
the cup during its World Cup qualifying game.
The trophy would then be taken to Tunisia for another
three days from November 17. From there it would be
taken to Algeria, Morocco and Ghana, which would be
hosting the cup for the third consecutive tour.
The nine-month tour of the trophy was designed to give
people around the world, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
to experience the unique aura of the most coveted trophy
in football.
Starting from Accra, Ghana, the trophy toured the world
for the first time on January 7, to April 10, 2006. It made
an unprecedented tour, visiting 31 cities in 28 countries
over a three-month stretch.
In the build-up to the 2010 World Cup, the tour was into
84 countries, including 50 of the 53 African nations.
According to figures released by FIFA, nearly one million
fans had souvenir pictures taken in the largest
experimental marketing tour ever undertaken by Coca-
Cola.
The tour covered 138, 902 kilometres, more than three
times the circumference of the Earth. This time the tour
would cover 149,576.78 km.

Hope this won't turn out to be a Bad Omen?