The softly-spoken Swede admits the noise made by spectators blowing the plastic trumpets during World Cup games presents problems for coaches trying to get information on to the pitch.

However, he believes it is all part of the pageantry of the event.

Eriksson said: "Imagine with my voice? Even if it is quiet in the stadium, I have difficulties. Even if you have a strong voice, it's very difficult.

"But on the other hand, it's folklore. It's like a party atmosphere, it's very good and that may be more important for football than whether or not a coach can get over his message quickly."

**********

Mr Eriksson's views are not shared by the authorities at Durban's Gateway shopping mall.

Management have banned the blowing of vuvuzela's inside the centre after complaints from staff and shoppers.

**********

South African golfer Ernie Els is hoping not to miss out entirely on the World Cup experience in his native country.

Els is combining his preparations for the US Open at Pebble Beach with watching what he can of the football on television with his parents, who are visiting.

But he hopes to witness the excitement in person before the tournament draws to a close.

He said: "It's just an amazing spectacle down there, the biggest sporting event in the world, and we are hosting it.

"It's just wonderful. Hopefully, I can get down there, maybe for the quarter-finals or semi-finals."

**********

Fans criss-crossing South Africa in a bid to see their team in action should perhaps spare a thought for Thulani Ngcobo.

Ngcobo - or "Ngcobo 2010" as he has been dubbed - is attempting to set a new world record by attending 38 of the 64 games in a 31-day marathon.

He is scheduled to break the current record of 20 matches on June 25, and in total, will travel more than 17,000 kilometres and watch 3,420 minutes of football.

**********

An average of more than 90% of the television audience in Holland watched the nation's 2-0 Group E victory over Denmark on Monday afternoon.

According to FIFA's TV audience report, the match was also seen by around 10% - or 13.5million - of those with access to a television in Japan, and at its peak, more than 30million in China.

**********

Bookmakers are keeping their fingers crossed the weather in Cape Town does not take a further turn for the worse on Friday.

William Hill could face a five-figure pay-out if snow falls during England's second Group C clash with Algeria at Green Point Stadium.

Punters were initially quoted a price of 12/1, which has now been slashed to 4/1, with the odds on the game being abandoned because of excessive snow 100/1.

Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe said: "We were fully aware of the fact that it is winter in South Africa, but still thought snow would be unlikely.

"However, a cunning weatherman or two might well clean up come Friday."

**********

Today is official World Cup mascot Zakumi's 16th birthday.

The green-haired leopard, South African folk history has it, was born on June 16, 1994, now celebrated annually as Youth Day, the anniversary of the first democratic elections in which all races were allowed to take part.

mfl