(Thumbnail image: Sky Sports)

After a month of joy, excitement, pride, and heartbreak the 2010 World Cup has come to an end. And as the month-long spectacle winds down, many are talking about the legacy created by the Cup and its host nation.

We’re analyzing perspectives from the Guardian, ESPN, Al Jazeera and the Huffington Post

Many are calling the South African World Cup a success, even one of the best ever held. The host nation is receiving much praise after some less than favorable criticism leading up to the event. British newspaper The Guardian agrees the 2010 World Cup was a triumphant success.

“No one died. No one was stabbed, no one was kidnapped and no one took a wrong turn into the clutches of a gang of garrotters. ...History will show that South Africa defied fears of violent chaos to host one of the best-attended World Cups ever. It has put Africa on the global sporting map...”

Perception seemed to play a big part in this World Cup as spectators and visitors from around the world were given a month-long glimpse of the new South Africa. Danny Jordaan, the man credited for bringing the Cup to South Africa, tells ESPN the event helped shed a new light on his nation.

“You almost had an image makeover for the country. People who came to South Africa to be part of the World Cup left with a different understanding of who we are, what this country has to offer and the capability in this country. So now people are looking through South Africa through new eyes. The quality of our infrastructure the quality of our stadiums surprised many people, the hotels, our airports and our ability to deliver. So those are the things that I think will make a significant difference.”      

But an analyst for Al Jazeera says that South Africa now needs to focus on attracting foreign investment if it wants to continue to prosper.

“I think it’s something the country, since Mandela was released, its never really been able to attract foreign investment in sufficiently large amount to really help the economy of the country take off sufficiently to make inroads in all these problems we’ve been hearing about.

“I think it’s got an opportunity, but I don’t think it’ll happen if people now just switch off and say well ok, job done, the World Cup’s over, we’ve done it very well.”  

The Huffington Post quotes South African President Jacob Zuma on the true importance of the tournament.

"Far more important than the facilities, the money, and the media attention, the World Cup has brought South Africa together. The challenge of my presidency...is to maintain that spirit of unity."

So what do you think? Was the 2010 World Cup in South Africa a success? And will it benefit the country in the future?