Vuvuzela South Africa

After South Africa’s 1-0 defeat to Norway yesterday it looks even more certain that Brazilian coach Joel Santana will soon be packing his bags and leaving for Rio. But I ask the question; surely the fault doesn’t only lie with the coach? These are highly skilled professional players who are letting their country down.

Seventh Loss in Eight Games

In Oslo yesterday, Kjetil Waehler’s second-half winner saw the South African visitor’s slump to their seventh loss in eight games – a shocking return for the country set to host next year’s World Cup. (And we know that the one win Bafana had in those eight games against Madagascar, was lucky).

Before the friendly, new SAFA president, Kirsten Nematandani made it clear that positive results are needed if Santana hopes to keep his job for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

Nematandani Appointed a Watchdog Panel

Nematandani even appointed a three-man watchdog panel – comprising of South African coaching heavyweights Jomo Sono, Gavin Hunt and Clive Barker – to evaluate the struggling team’s form in this clash as well as in the upcoming friendly with Iceland. (They could not get visas in time for the Norway friendly but will be at the game in Iceland next week).

Bafana Bafana Coach, Joel Santana

I am Not Afraid of My Job – Santana

“I am not afraid for my job” – this was the key theme in Joel Santana’s press conference after Bafana Bafana’s 1-0 defeat to Norway in Oslo on Saturday afternoon reports kickoff.com.

“I feel that I have the full support of this group of players. I do not have any problems with any player; my players stick together for me,” the Brazilian said.

Santana and Bafana Blame the Pitch

Santana told kickoff.com that the state of the pitch also had an influence on their performance.

“This is no excuse, but some of my best technical players came to me and complained about the grass. It was really short and really wet, and the grass was also hard. It was difficult to play the ball out there.”

Oh come on, most of these boys grew up playing in the townships playing soccer with a tennis ball – they are known for their ball control  and skills– to blame the pitch is just lame and may I say desperate?

The Match  Score : Norway 1 – Bafana Bafana 0

Bafana Bafana never looked like a team wanting to win from the moment they ran on to the pitch. Norway was all over Bafana in a one-sided first half in which the South Africans failed to test Norwegian goalkeeper Jon Knudsen.  In stead of the more attacking game that Santana promised, it was more of the same hanging around. The only Bafana player who was busier than Checkers on a Saturday morning was stopman Moeneeb Josephs who did very well keeping the Norway strikers at bay.

Although they did not play their best game, the hosts maintained their shape throughout as South Africa battled to launch any attacks of substance. Sundown’s striker Katlego Mphela threatened with a decent effort late in the game in the 81st minute and gave goalkeeper Knudsen some real work.

What Was Teko Modise Doing?

And Teko Modise – well he was, as they say conspicuous by his absence – yes, he was there on the pitch but he didn’t perform, just also just sort of hung around.

Bafana captain Aaron Mokoena, talking exclusively to KickOff.com before boarding the bus after the game, bizarrely claimed they played well, though he did admit to some frustration.

Aaron Mokoena – Frustrating to Lose

“I think we played pretty well, but it is very frustrating to lose,” he told KickOff.com. “And it is very frustrating that we are not creating chances.

One needs to keep the spirits up and the spin going, but it seems as if a kind of fog has settled over the Bafana Bafana team.

I know that before the Confed Cup they worked with a team psychologist who worked with the Boks – maybe they need to get rid of this coach, get a new one and get the team psychologist in to get our boys believing in themselves again

Photo: Coach Joel Santana from football365.com

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Many great weekend fixtures are being played around Europe .  Two of the top European 2010 World Cup qualifyers being played this weekend are the Russia vs Germany match and the Portugal vs Hungary Match.

Russia vs Germany Preview

The clash between Russia and Germany at the Luzhniki Stadium on Saturday is probably the match of the weekend, with both sides desperate to secure the top spot in their group and avoid having to go to a play-off for a place in South Africa.

Guus Hiddink’s Russians Confident on an Artificial Pitch

Germany are at the top of the group (with a one point advantage), with Russia just behind them, and only the top team is certain of a trip to South Africa 2010. The pitch is an artificial one, which should give Guus Hiddink’s Russians a boost of confidence, as their players are more familiar with it.

The Russians will be hoping the ever-dangerous Roman Pavlyuchenko will be fit for the match to partner in-form Arsenal playmaker, Andrei Arshavin up front to provide a ferocious attack for the Russian team, while Hiddink has a number of midfield options to choose from, including the entire Zenit St Petersburg midfield who has done so well this season.

Renee Adler Between the Posts for Germany

Germany will field debut goalkeeper Rene Adler as Robert Enke is injured.

A draw would almost certainly see the Germans progress as group winners since they host Finland in their final fixture, but a Russian win would leave Hiddink’s boys two points clear ahead of their trip to bottom side Azerbaijan.

Christiano Ronaldo will Play for Portugal.

Portugal vs Hungary Preview

Good news for Portugal is that Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo seems fit to play in their 2010 World Cup qualifier against Hungary on Saturday after recovering from a twisted ankle, according to Coach Carlos Queiroz.

Portugal will need to beat Hungary at the Estadio da Luz in their World Cup Qualifier on Saturday and hope other results go in their favour if they intend to make the cut for the trip to South Africa in 2010.

Seleccao are Third in Group One

The Seleccao are third in Group One, two points behind Sweden and five points behind first-placed Denmark with two games to play. They are scheduled to play Malta four days later and also need to win that match.

Carlos Queiroz’s men will need Denmark to beat Sweden this weekend, while securing a win over Hungary to keep their 2010 World Cup hopes alive.

The home side will be without Tiago due to an injury, while Pepe will also be sidelined as he serves a suspension.

Photo: Cristiano Ronaldo

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Europe’s top teams are at war on the pitch this weekend in the penultimate round of qualifiers for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, with three top-of-the-table showdowns as well as with another three potentially decisive encounters.
All together, thirteen teams will represent Europe in South Africa next year, but so far, only the Netherlands, Spain, and England have sealed their places for the World Cup finals.

Italy, Denmark, Switzerland Serbia and Slovakia

Almost there, are defending champions Italy, who need a solitary point to join them, while Denmark, Switzerland, Serbia, and Slovakia are also well placed.

This Weekend’s 2010 World Cup Qualifier Fixtures :

Group 1
Denmark-Sweden
Portugal-Hungary

Group 2
Luxembourg-Switzerland
Israel-Moldova
Greece-Latvia

Group 3
Slovakia-Slovenia
Czech Republic-Poland

Group 4
Finland-Wales
Russia-Germany
Liechtenstein-Azerbaijan

Group 5
Estonia-Bosnia-Herzegovina
Belgium-Turkey
Armenia-Spain

Group 6
Belarus-Kazakhstan
Ukraine-England

Group 7
Serbia-Romania
Austria-Lithuania
France-Faroe Islands

Group 8
Montenegro-Georgia
Cyprus-Bulgaria
Republic of Ireland-Italy

The big games will be the Russia v Germany clash in the, Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow and Portugal vs Hungary at the Estadio da Luz.

For a list of all the 2010 World Cup Fixtures

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There has been some confusion as to the exact role of the Watchdog Trio and their responsibilities to SAFA. Three PSL heavyweights – Gavin Hunt, Jomo Sono and Clive Barker – have been asked to assess Bafana Bafana coach Joel Santana’s progress with the team.

Confusing Reports on Santana’s Reaction to Watchdogs

Reports are also confusing – some of the media reports say that beleaguered Bafana Bafana coach Joel Santana only found out about his watchdog trio through the media and has barred them from training, teamtalks and even speaking to the team – other reports like the one on football 355, says that Santana  has welcomed the appointment of the three technical assessors who will run the rule over Bafana’s friendly matches against Norway on Saturday and against Iceland next Tuesday.

More Coaches to Speak About Bafana Bafana

“I feel happy because all the speculation will end that I don’t speak to the local coaches, now with this arrangement we will have more coaches to speak to about Bafana Bafana. “ Now we have the assessors and the directors to help and give support.”

Well, maybe that is the finessed version – after he first threw a tantrum it is said. It is well known that the conservative Brazilian is very authoritarian and I am sure that he would not like to have his judgment questioned, especially with the eyes of the soccer world on South Africa in the run-up the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Joel Santana  – On the Way Out?

Is Joel Santana on the way out? That is not clear. However, there is no doubt that somehow, between the Confederations Cup and now, Coach Joel Santana has taken his eye off the ball (and his team). Instead of growing and building on the strength of the Confed Cup – the South African National Football Team has just slipped into a state of indecision and lack of confidence. And the fans are baying for blood.

Gavin Hunt of Supersport United

Supersport United Coach, Gavin Hunt spoke to Soccer Laduuuuma! “Well our job is to assess the next couple of games and then to formulate a report to SAFA. SAFA will decide what to do with the report dependent on the performances. We won’t consider Bafana’s history under Santana and in fact, we will only consider the games that we have ahead of us. The report that we formulate will not carry any recommendations regarding, for example, the re-call of Benni McCarthy or Nasief Morris. It will be a thorough account of how the team does against Norway and Iceland and that’s all,” said Hunt.

Clive Barker – “Bafana Bafana call-up”

Usuthu technical advisor Clive Barker, in his The Dogg Barks column,  chats about his  expectations and his latest “Bafana Bafana call-up.I got a call on Tuesday late in the afternoon from SAFA CEO Raymond Hack asking me whether I would be interested in working with Gavin Hunt and Jomo Sono in helping Bafana Bafana in their quest to be successful in the 2010 World Cup.

“I think what the president and SAFA have shown is the feeling which I had made public in that I believe that local coaches have achieved by far the best record in coaching not only the national team, but also at club level.
“All we want to do is to help Joel Santana in his quest to win the World Cup. It will not be backstabbing, he will hear directly from us, rather than through different parties. I think what this means as well is that the image of Bafana Bafana and South Africa will be enhanced.”

Photo: Gavin Hunt

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South Africa vs Norway. Can South Africa beat Norway on Saturday? I think Bafana Bafana fans, who are a pretty optimistic bunch, already have this sick feeling in their stomach because they know what another loss will mean to the morale of their team.

2010 FIFA World Cup – Norway Didn’t Qualify

Now, Norway hasn’t qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and South Africa, who is losing all its matches has qualified automatically as the host of the World Cup – there is a bit of pride at stake in this South Africa vs Norway friendly

According to 365.co.za the Brazilian Coach Joel Santana hedged his bets about the friendly international match against Norway on Saturday: “We have met them before and we beat them and in that match I think South Africa played some exciting football. Now we meet again, and we are preparing for the World Cup, so we might win or lose, but I said to my players we need to play beautiful football with a lot of discipline.”

Joel Santana – Beautiful Soccer

If I were Joel Santana’s employers who are paying him over a million rands a month, I don’t know if I would be happy with that answer. I am sure they do not pay him to coach Bafana Bafana to play “beautiful soccer” – we want our boys to win!

“You have to remember that I come from a country that has won the World Cup five times and provided some of the world’s best players. I am here to make South Africa play like Brazil. That’s the reason why South Africa appointed a Brazilian to train their team.” Santana concluded

You can watch the South Africa vs Norway match live online Saturday at Oleolefootball.com

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