A Potential Group of Death
The South Africans have their work cut out as they host the 2010 World Cup spectacular. Though considered minnows in world football circles, the South Africans have successfully hosted and won the African Cup of Nations once in 1996 and hosted the latest installment of the confederations cup exceptionally well.
There’s no doubt the beautiful country located on the southern tip of Africa can host a tournament, the Question on every soccer mad fanatics lips is, ” will they cut it on the pitch”.
The hosts are pitted against some of the world’s finest footballing nations in France, Mexico and Uruguay, how well they fair will be a true acid test.
It’s no secret there’s a score to settle against France, a fete many feel is possible.
After seeing the South Africans in action recently one would be inclined to think the French who Qualified controversially after star striker Thiery Henry handled the ball and got away with it costing the Irish a place in the finals have something to worry about if recent performances are anything to go by.
A point or three against the former champions is a reachable goal for Bafana Bafana. Against Mexico many South African supporters seem to think they’ll win hands down, one cannot blame them, the home crowd will make the atmosphere euphoric, and they’ll come out in numbers and besides the team is playing enterprising football. The Mexicans are good but even they will have to dig very deep to overcome Bafana, so I guess the hosts should pick up three points in this encounter.
A team that should be approached with caution by the hosts is Uruguay; this South American nation has been gravely ender estimated by many an opponent on the football pitch.
They have won the world cup twice before and play with amazing mastery, they have beaten top rated Brazil and the star studded Argentina on many occasions, if there’s a team that could cause an upset in this Group its Uruguay.
However the South Africans 82 fifa ranking should not be used as a barometer for their performance it’s a tough group but they have a lot going for them.
A home crowd, a world class coach and talented individuals who have just recently began to play superb football as a unit, it won’t be a breeze but it seems certain they’ll go through to the second round.