Whatever happens, the clash between South Africa and Mexico in Johannesburg on 11 June will be an historic occasion, marking the first ever World Cup to take place on African soil. The question is can Bafana Bafana create some more history of their own and be the first South African team to make it beyond the first round of the biggest sporting event on the planet?
Ranked 90 in the world, Carlos Alberto Parreira’s team will be up against it to make any sort of competitive impact in the 19th World Cup finals, but will be hopeful that this tournament, like the Rugby World Cup did in 1995, will unite a troubled nation and help make the national team’s contribution a memorable one.
Manager: Carlos Alberto Parreira
Parreira has an extremely long and diverse coaching histroy and will this summer become only the second man to manage five different teams in the World Cup, having previously been in charge of Kuwait (1982), United Arab Emirates (1990), Saudi Arabia (1998) and his native Brazil (1994 and 2006), He has been in charge of Bafana Bafana before, from January 2007 – April 2008, but quit for personal reasons.
He was reinstated in October of last year, despite calls in the country for the SAFA to appoint a South African coach. Home fans will be encouraged by the fact that he has won the competition before, with Brazil in 1994, but will be alarmed by the fact that in 1998, he was fired as Saudi Arabian coach after only two games.
Star man: Steven Pienaar
The impish midfielder has been central to Everton’s revival in the second half of this season’s Premier League. Pienaar has an excellent touch, an eye for a pass and as was evident in his delightful dink over Manuel Almunia at the Emirates this season, is quite adept in front of goal too. He will likely play in an advanced midfield role as chief playmaker for the hosts, who will need him in top form if they are to qualify from the group.
Prediction: Second round exit
Home advantage can do wonders for a nation in the World Cup. Just ask South Korea, who flourished amidst scenes of national fervour in 2002. South Africa will do very well to emulate the feats of Ji Sung Park and company, but a noisy home crowd could well see them progress beyond the first round of the competition for the first time in their history.
It is probably just as well for Parreira’s men that they will avoid the strongest team in their group, France until the final group game, giving them the chance to build a bit of momentum and national pride ahead of a potentially tricky tie with Raymond Domenech’s side.
A second round exit will probably be the height of their ambitions, however. Should they advance from the group, they are likely to face Argentina in the second round and although Diego Maradona still doesn’t seem to have got the hang of this management lark, the inspired form that Lionel Messi has been in this season should be enough to see them through.
Odds: 125/1
Irishness rating:
10/10. Anyone with a McCarthy in their ranks has to be given top marks.
If they were a car they’d be a …
Toyota Prius – Under pressure to perform after a few dodgy incidents in the past.
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