'I Miss Everything About Russia': S African Player Upbeat on 2018 World Cup

With the FIFA World Cup final draw scheduled to take place at Moscow’s Kremlin Palace on Friday, December 1, Radio Sputnik discussed the 2018 football extravaganza with Macbeth Sibaya, a South African footballer, who used to play for the Russian football club Rubin.

Sputnik: Are you looking forward to returning to Russia and what have you missed about Russia?

Macbeth Sibaya: I miss the language, the people; I miss the scenery, the fresh air, the rivers, the snow. I miss everything about Russia, especially its history, the revolution, the two World Wars, the Cold War.

Sputnik: What is the best element with regard to Russia that first-time visitors are going to experience here?

Macbeth Sibaya: There are very good cities – Moscow, Kazan, St. Petersburg. It’s a very different world, but as soon as you walk in, especially in St. Petersburg, you can feel the [aura] of Paris here and there.

Sputnik: What are your expectations forfrom next year’s World Cup and the way it will be organized in Russia?

Macbeth Sibaya: It’s going to be tough for Russia [because] there will be more teams, but I still think it is going to be a wonderful experience in terms of football. I think the participating countries, big and small, including African countries, are going to make a good impact onto this competition.