South Africa
http://unprofessionalfoul.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/South-African-football-fa-001.jpg
Manager: Carlos Alberto Parreira
Captain: Aaron Mokoena
FIFA Ranking: 88
Group A
Background: Since re-entering CAF and FIFA the hosts have won the African Cup of Nations and appeared in the World Cup twice, in 1998 and 2002. Most of their side live and play in Europe, from the Premiership to the top flight in Israel. The South African Premier Soccer League is developing more each year and more of it's international players are now coming from their home country, including players from teams like Orlando Pirates and the Kaizer Chiefs, who are famous for their rivalry.
Qualification: South Africa automatically qualified for the competition as hosts of the 2010 World Cup. Their bid beat off many other African nations bids to become the first African country to hold the World Cup.
The Team
Strengths: A team that enjoy quick, sharp passing but are not afraid to use their skill and good dribbling skills when needed. They have the ability to get at opposition defences with skill and also have a great keeper in the form of Itumeleng Khune.
Weaknesses: Despite the likes of Benni McCarthy upfront the Bafana's have struggled to find the back of the net in recent times, having drawing a blank in their last two fixtures and have struggled for goals since the Confederations Cup in June 2009.
The Manager: Carlos Alberto Parreira, who previously led Brazil to the World Cup final and helped them to defeat Germany there in 2002, knows that his role is more a matter of keeping pride than leading the side to glory. Having left Brazil for family reasons he has taken charge in South Africa and is very popular amongst the players.
Star Men: Benni McCarthy (West Ham)
The West Ham striker is South Africa's all-time leading goal scorer and has set a target of 50 goals for his country and has already got 35 of those. He has played in some of Europe’s top leagues and his experience will be important for the squad.
Steven Pienaar (Everton)
Recently voted South African Player of the Year, Pienaar is one of the most skillful players the host nation have got and his quick passing ability decides many games and will be a key player in their hopes to succeed on home turf.
manor15's Prediction
Second Round. Placed in one of the easier groups alongside Mexico, Uruguay and a struggling French team, with the home crowd behind them the Bafana's may just get through the group stages but a tie against one of Argentina, Greece, Nigeria or South Korea could see them exit although they may surprise people.
http://unprofessionalfoul.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/South-African-football-fa-001.jpg
Manager: Carlos Alberto Parreira
Captain: Aaron Mokoena
FIFA Ranking: 88
Group A
Background: Since re-entering CAF and FIFA the hosts have won the African Cup of Nations and appeared in the World Cup twice, in 1998 and 2002. Most of their side live and play in Europe, from the Premiership to the top flight in Israel. The South African Premier Soccer League is developing more each year and more of it's international players are now coming from their home country, including players from teams like Orlando Pirates and the Kaizer Chiefs, who are famous for their rivalry.
Qualification: South Africa automatically qualified for the competition as hosts of the 2010 World Cup. Their bid beat off many other African nations bids to become the first African country to hold the World Cup.
The Team
Strengths: A team that enjoy quick, sharp passing but are not afraid to use their skill and good dribbling skills when needed. They have the ability to get at opposition defences with skill and also have a great keeper in the form of Itumeleng Khune.
Weaknesses: Despite the likes of Benni McCarthy upfront the Bafana's have struggled to find the back of the net in recent times, having drawing a blank in their last two fixtures and have struggled for goals since the Confederations Cup in June 2009.
The Manager: Carlos Alberto Parreira, who previously led Brazil to the World Cup final and helped them to defeat Germany there in 2002, knows that his role is more a matter of keeping pride than leading the side to glory. Having left Brazil for family reasons he has taken charge in South Africa and is very popular amongst the players.
Star Men: Benni McCarthy (West Ham)
The West Ham striker is South Africa's all-time leading goal scorer and has set a target of 50 goals for his country and has already got 35 of those. He has played in some of Europe’s top leagues and his experience will be important for the squad.
Steven Pienaar (Everton)
Recently voted South African Player of the Year, Pienaar is one of the most skillful players the host nation have got and his quick passing ability decides many games and will be a key player in their hopes to succeed on home turf.
manor15's Prediction
Second Round. Placed in one of the easier groups alongside Mexico, Uruguay and a struggling French team, with the home crowd behind them the Bafana's may just get through the group stages but a tie against one of Argentina, Greece, Nigeria or South Korea could see them exit although they may surprise people.
