To avoid Obama's visit, South African police chief wants US knocked out of WC

London (ANI): South African police chief General Bheki Cele in order to avoid a visit by President Barack Obama to the country during the World Cup, is 'praying' that the US football team is knocked out of the tournament.

Briefing on senators on security, General Bheki Cele said that a visit by the US President, which could happen if the team makes the knockout stage, would be a nightmare.

Cele was briefing lawmakers on South Africa's security plan for the World Cup, which has met with approval from Interpol, the global police agency, and security authorities of the 31 visitor teams.

"Our famous prayer is that they don't make the second round. They get eliminated and they go home because we are told that if they go to the second or third stage, the American president might come," The Telegraph quoted him as saying to the Parliamentary Police Committee.

The United States is one of 31 visitor nations competing for the World Cup in South Africa.

So far 43 heads of state have provisionally confirmed their attendance in the first World Cup on African soil, but General Cele said the presence of the US leader would double security requirements for the event

"That 43 will be equal to this one operation," he said.

The United States is in Group C with England, Slovenia and Algeria.