Vuvuzela South Africa

I never thought Id write about Paris Hilton with regards to the 2010 World Cup, let alone her getting arrested at the Brazil vs Netherlands game in Port Elizabeth.

Brazil vs Ghana – Paris Hilton vs South African Police

But, while I was tweeting through the Ghana match last night the twittersphere picked it up and within a few minutes reports and pics were pouring in – about Paris Hilton getting arrested st the Stadium during the Brazil vs Netherlands match smoking a joint and being taken off to the special World cup Court in Port Elizabeth.

Well it didnt take long for the Paris Hilton jokes to start flying around – Like “Did you hear Paris Hilton was arrested for ambush marketing by FIFA in Port Elizabeth – she was snorting Pesi”

Oops, it is Actually Jennifer Rovero

Anyway the story continues – she appeared in court and blamed her best friend – former Playboy centerfold Jennifer Rovero and the authorities dropped the charges against Hilton, said former centerfold Jennifer Rovero, “acknowledged to be in possession of cannabis, and pleaded guilty. According to Brig. Sally De Beer, a spokeswoman for South African police.

Rovero was sentenced R1000 or 31 days.

Paris Hilton Reassures her Tweeps

Hilton wrote  on Twitter later: “Hey guys, there’s a lot of crazy rumors going around. Just want you all to know the truth. Everything is completely fine. I was not charged or arrested, cause I didn’t do anything.”

She said she was helping police with their investigation. Ja, to shop her best friend – and anyway what does R1000 mean to people like this. Wonder if she keeps “fall guys” with her when she travels?

“Everyone was super nice and friendly to me,” Hilton wrote. “I love South Africa! Such an amazing place, especially during The World Cup! Hope that clears everything up.”

Observations:

• You know you’re in trouble when your name Paris Hilton arrested is a high ranking search phrase.
• Paris Hilton’s entitled behavior didn’t knock Mick Jagger off top of the twitter trends – Sometimes you can get Satisfaction
• One is not even allowed to smoke cigarettes in most places in SA – and we all know that nobody smokes a joint alone, so who do these chicks think they are smoking a zol in one of our stadiums? ((Even during a Holland match)
• Charlize tasted her first Campari in Benoni so Paris wanted to taste her first Transkei spliff in PE?

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Tonight, in the second of the quarterfinal clashes in the 2010 World Cup, the Black Stars of Ghana take on South American underdogs, Uruguay at 8.30 at Soccer City in Johannesburg.

I don’t think I’m exaggerating if I say that the whole continent of Africa is behind the last African team left in Africa’s World Cup. This is only the second time that Ghana has even made it to the World Cup Finals.

I’m sure both sides will admit to being relieved to have avoided the big guns  Brazil, Spain, Argentina and Germany — to get to the final eight- the quarterfinals of the 2010 World Cup.

Uruguay – In Great Form

Uruguay, have been entertaining to watch – this team that was once one of the top teams in the world, is certainly coming back into form, especially via  its two strikers Luis Suarez (three goals) and Diego Forlan (two goals), and a rock-steady backline that has conceded only one goal in four matches.

Uruguay has advanced to their first World Cup quarterfinal in 40 years, this South American country has lived up to its reputation as a great defensive side during the 2010 World Cup. It posted clean sheets in all three group play matches against France, Mexico and South Africa. South Korea nicked La Celeste for a goal in the thrilling 2-1 Round of 16 encounter.

Sadly they will have to do without starting defender Diego Godin (thigh). Mauricio Victorino, who subbed for Godin at half time in the Round of 16 victory over South Korea, is expected to get the nod on Friday.

Diego Forlan Fired Up for Quarter Finals

On fifa.com Uruguay striker Diego Forlan said Tuesday he was all fired up for his team’s FIFA World Cup™ quarter-final against Ghana.

“We are well prepared – we are having a good World Cup,” said the Atletico Madrid striker ahead of Friday’s test at Soccer City in Johannesburg against the sole African survivors. “We are following the instructions of [coach Oscar] Tabarez and we are confident we can reach the semi-finals to give joy to our people,” said the former Manchester United striker.

Otherwise manager Oscar Tabarez has a full contingent, which is more than his counterpart can say.

Black Stars – Prospect of First Ever African Nation in a Semi Final

The Black Stars are inspired by the prospect of being the first-ever African nation to advance to a World Cup semifinal, which has striker Asamoah Gyan (three goals) vowing to play over an ankle injury sustained in the extra-time Round of 16 victory over the United States.

Ghana Black Stars Injury and Suspension Worries

Ghana’s coach Milovan Rajevac has Kevin-Prince Boateng (hamstring) as well as Gyan  battling to be fit while defender Jonathan Mensah and midfielder Andre Ayew are definitely out due to yellow card accumulation. Inter Milan’s Sulley Muntaro, who’s been in Rajevac’s crosshairs and was dropped for the African Cup of Nations, may start in Ayew’s place.

Ghana’s strength is a solid back line, with Issac Vorsah the anchor in central defense. He’ll likely partner with David Addy due to the suspension of Jonathan Mensah. The Black Stars mentor is banking on the side’s boundless youth and skill, which have only flourished under the glare of the world spotlight.

Transport Arrangements – Getting to Soccer City

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Brazil v Netherlands is the first of the Quarterfinals in this 2010 World Cup. It will kick off at 4pm (local time) tomorrow afternoon in Port Elizabeth (Nelson Mandela Bay).

One of the sayings you often hear in the soccer world is that the Netherlands is the best team to have never won the World Cup. And this 2010 Netherlands squad of Bert van Marwijk is as good as they come – pacy, disciplined and then they have deadly strikers.

Both Brazil and Holland Unbeaten in 2010 World Cup

Between them these quarter-final opponents have gone 34 games unbeaten (Netherlands 23, Brazil 11) as we are served up a repeat of 1974, 1994 and 1998.

Holland’s  least impressive performance came last time out against the resilient Slovaks, with Robin van Persie throwing a tantrum when substituted.

We know that temperament is always a potential problem in the Dutch camp. However, coach Bert van Marwijk has been at pains to breed a strong team spirit in the Oranje ranks. He will need all that and more if Holland are to defeat their esteemed opponents from South America for the first time since 1974.

Strike force: Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben

Brazil – Ranked Number One

Brazil showed their class against an open Chile side,. We saw their speed(a two-goal lead by half-time).  and we saw their ferocious attacking talent. But we also saw how solid the Selecao are on defence.

This might not be the mythical Brazil side of the past, but coach Dunga is molding them and shaping this team into a lean mean machine that just might have everything on the day to take the prize.You certainly can’t question his results, winning the Copa America in 2007 and last year’s Confederations Cup. Put simply the captain of Brazil’s 1994 world champions is a winner.

Midfielder Elano will be missing from Brazil’s lineup when they take on the Netherlands in the quarter-final of the World Cup after failing to recover from the injury he suffered during the match against the Ivory Coast.

Strike Force: Luis Fabiano and Robinho

Brazil v Netherlands

Tomorrows Brazil v Netherlands clash looks to be a gem for all football fans as plenty of world class stars come face to face such as Robin Van Persie, Luis Fabiano, Kaka, Wesley Sneijder, Robinho and Arjen Robben. The sad reality is that one of these sides will be eliminated and we will wave them farewell.

Brazil are the slight favorites for the game although it will be very close as there is only 4 places between the two countries in the FIFA world rankings. Both sides have no injury worries and are set to start with their strongest possible teams.

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Its the quarterfinals of the 2010 World Cup, and we are getting to the most exciting matches, but we are also almost getting to the end.

It seems like forever that all we could talk about was 2010. And now we have seven more matches and then it is over.

Eight teams have qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Quarterfinals. They are Brazil, Netherlands, Spain, Paraguay, Ghana, Uruguay, Argentina, and Germany.

But its the two South Americans Brazil and Argentina who are certainly two of the favourites  with Paraguay a wide outsider.

Read 2010 FIFA World Cup Quarter Finals – All the Matches

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Pitso Mosimane - New Bafana Bafana Coach

It seems an open secret that a new Bafana Bafana coach has been named to take over from Carlos Alberto Parreira, and it is the Brazilian’s assistant Pitso Mosimane.

Gavin Hunt and Pitso Mosimane

Two coaches seemed to be in the running for the job were SuperSport United coach Gavin Hunt and Bafana assistant coach Mosimane. Word is that by tomorrow (Thursday) Mosimane’s position will be formalised.

End of Carlos Alberto Parreira’s Contract

South Africa was eliminated from the FIFA World Cup in the first round, despite beating France 2-1 in their final Group A match.

Their exit brought to an end the coaching contract of Brazilian Carlos Alberto Parreira.

According to kickoff.com former SuperSport United coach, Pitso Mosimane will be announced as Bafana Bafana boss on Thursday.

2012 African Nations Cup

Mosimane is certainly Parreirra’s successor of choice as he assisted outgoing coach Carlos Alberto Parreira and his predecessor Joel Santana. He will be given the task of leading the national team to the 2012 African Nations Cup, as well as the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Also in the running has been Gavin Hunt who, after winning three successive Absa Premiership titles with SuperSport United, was many people’s favourite to replace Parreira, but it seems the SAFA bosses have opted for continuity instead.

Gavin Hunt Also a Contender

Sport24 readers, at least, appear to have been much more squarely in the camp of Gavin Hunt, the man considered to have been the other realistic candidate in SAFA’s thoughts as successor to Brazilian Carlos Alberto Parreira.

Hunt, who has steered SuperSport United to three Absa Premiership titles on the trot and been a TV studio pundit during the World Cup, would have been the preferred pick by some distance.

Mosimane  Take the Reigns

But it seems as if the heavy mantle of Bafana Bafana head coach is going to fall on the shoulders of the Kagiso-born, 45-year-old former Jomo Cosmos, Sundowns and Bafana (four caps) midfielder  Pitso Mosimane

Mosimane also managed SuperSport United, between 2001 and 2007, and held the national caretaker reins briefly in 2006, between the tenures of Ted Dimitru and then Parreira’s first in charge.

Bafana Bafana  – Warm- up Friendly in August

In August Bafana will play a warm-up friendly against a team still to be announced and in September they begin the Africa Nations Cup qualifying campaign. Their group includes defending champion Egypt, Niger, and Sierra Leone.

Image: Pitso Mosimane football365.com

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