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A to Z of WORLD CUP SOUTH AFRICA 2010 - South Africa
SOUTH AFRICA:
Of the 18 World Cup Finals held since its inauguration in Uruguay in 1930, the host nation has won FIFA’s most prestigious trophy on only 6 occasions. This figure gives some idea of the scale of the task awaiting South Africa.
With a football history that stretches back to the days of apartheid, it was only in July 1992 that South Africa fielded its first multi-racial side. In terms of World Cup Finals they have managed two, prior to automatic qualification for 2010. Both appearances, in 1998 and 2002, resulted in almost identical performances as they failed to make it past round 1 on each occasion.
The team’s failure to even qualify for the recent African Cup of Nations has somewhat dented supporters’ optimism after their sterling performance in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. A narrow loss to Brazil in the semi-finals was followed by an even tighter setback for third place against Spain in that competition.
Chief Coach, Brazilian Carlos Alberto Parreira was appointed in 2007, sacked in 2008 and reappointed in 2009. Not surprisingly his tenure at the helm has divided both supporters and media alike. Despite his critics, there are those who believe strongly that he has the pedigree and experience to lead Bafana Bafana (The Boys) to glory.
If that dream is to be realised then much will depend on the performance of Everton’s Steven Piennar: the midfield maestro is considered to be the side’s prize asset. He is likely to be ably assisted by the country’s captain and most capped player, Aaron Mokoena of Portsmouth. The team’s top scorer, West Ham’s Benni McCarty, has been included in Parreira’s provisional squad but it remains to be seen if he survives the cut.
Ranked 90th in the World by FIFA, South Africa have been drawn in Group A along with Uruguay, France and Mexico. Skybet are offering 7/1 on The Boys topping this Group. A quarter-final place is seen by Paddy Power at 11/2 whilst bwin might tempt you with odds of 25/1 on a semi-final spot.
As the first African nation ever to host the World Cup Finals, South African feelings are best summed up by captain Aaron Mokoena “ For us the World Cup is our priority, our biggest goal. We need to represent our country with pride”. South African chests will positively burst with that pride if they can lift the trophy, something that Bluesquare are pitching at 100/1.
Posted: Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010 @ 09:06 am by Mark
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