Vuvuzela South Africa

It’s the final week before the World Cup starts and I have to admit the mood in England isn’t quite what I expected. Let me explain.

Guest Blogpost By Mike Towers World Cup Bafana Bafana

Here in England we have a history of approaching World Cups with levels of hysteria and hype not seen since the days of Roman bacchanalia.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying we all have a drunken mass orgy; the Daily Mail would have a fit. It’s just that we tend to get a bit over-excited.

As a result the UK papers are usually packed to the rafters with hyperbolic statements proclaiming ‘this is our year’ and so on. For some reason this has yet to happen.

Credit to Coach Fabio Capello

Some of the credit must go to Coach Fabio Capello. He laid down the law on expectations last year. ‘Keep them modest and plan to win without shouting too much’ seemed to be his strategy.

So far it is working, although the mood may change depending on what happens in the group games against the US, Algeria and Slovenia.

A lot will also depend on how the team copes with the loss of Rio Ferdinand. Opinion is, not surprisingly, divided on the possible impact of the defender’s injury. Some say he will be badly missed, others that he was an accident waiting to happen, a weak link.

I’m in the latter camp. Ferdinand has hardly played all season and often struggled to play more than three games before breaking down again. Better that it happened now, rather than in a game.

Captain Steven Gerrard

Besides, his replacement as captain is Steven Gerrard. While the Liverpool midfielder didn’t have the best of seasons, and the days when he could inspire famous victories such as the Istanbul Champions League Final in 2005 may be behind him, Gerrard’s drive and determination still can turn games.

Gerrard also has an excellent on and off field relationship with Wayne Rooney, England’s talismanic striker. Much will depend on how they link up; as striker and midfielder, or as striker supported by Gerrard playing in the hole between the opposition’s defence and midfield.

The England squad has plenty of other strong players too; from the Chelsea contingent of Lampard, Terry and the two Coles (Ashley and Joe), to striker Peter Crouch, midfielder James Milner, and winger Aaron Lennon. Don’t count us out because one player is injured.

That’s the picture from here as we count down towards Friday. Confident but not arrogant, relaxed but not complacent. Let’s see if I can say the same after the England – US game in Rustenberg on June 12th.

Best of luck to Bafana Bafana and everyone at Vuvuzela South Africa.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Bafana Bafana vs Denmark did prove the toughest test for Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira’s boys, but they came through with flying colours winning the encounter by one goal.

Score: Bafana 1 Denmark 0. Now if that is not punching above your weight and landing a knockout blow, then I don’t know!

Bafana – Unbeaten 12 Matches

Bafana Bafana stretched their unbeaten run to 12 matches after a 1-0 win over Denmark at Atteridgeville on Saturday afternoon.

YeYe and Killer Bring it Home

A fine through-ball from Reneilwe YeYe Letsholonyane and a cool finish from Katlego Killer Mphela saw Bafana run out winners and ready for the World Cup come June 11th.

Teko Modise and Siphiwe Tshabalala drove the South Africans forward for most of the first half. And although Stevie P didn’t have his usual brilliant game, he certainly had nothing to be ashamed of.

Denmark had the better start to the second half and put the South African defense under pressure at the start. But despite all the hard work, they could only muster a deflected shot, which was easily dealt with by Itumeleng Khune, whose safe hands were in just the right place when Bafana slacked off a bit just before the final whistle.

Read the whole match report of South Africa vs Denmark on football 365.com

South Africa vs Denmark – Man of the Match Reneilwe YeYe Letsholonyane

Bafana Bafana midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane (YeYe) dedicated his Man-of-the-Match award against Denmark to the rest of the national team camp. This humble guy from Kaizer Chiefs played like he was on fire. He is another playa that is getting better with each game. Yeye’s pass for Mphela’s winner dissected the Danish defense brilliantly and the former Jomo Cosmos man admits that it was instinctive.

He added: “I expected him to get there because I know he has got pace. When I saw him making that run I just played the ball.”

Steven Pienaar 50th Cap for Bafana Bafana

Steven Pienaar earned his 50th cap for the national team when he ran onto the park for the South Africa vs Denmark match in Tshwane yesterday. The Everton Midfielder said after the match: “I am really proud to have played my 50th game and now I am looking forward to the World Cup, the first game (against Mexico).

“I also hope to play more games for Bafana (in the future).”

Bafana Bafana played some great football during the victory in Tshwane and Pienaar believes it is down to the squad following head coach Carlos Alberto Parreira’s tactics to a tee.

“I think the team played really well. We were organised and followed the coach’s instructions,” he continued.

Image: Killer Mphela football 365.com

Popularity: 8% [?]

Didier Drogba Injured

Didier Drogba and Rio Ferdinand were taken out of the 2010 World Cup yesterday because of injuries. They are only two of the top players who will be missing this years finals – is this a World Cup Curse?

The 2010 World Cup kicks off in one week at Soccer City with a match between hosts South Africa and Mexico. Sadly, due to the so-called World Cup Curse, many die-hard fans will be unable to cheer on their favorite footballers this year due several top players being ruled out of the competition.

Here we are talking about those who have been totally ruled out. There are still a number of key players who are struggling to be fit in time for the competition

We know and understand that for top-class athletes, injuries are a part of the game. However, what happens when they come to a week before the 2010 FIFA World Cup? Yesterday must have been the unluckiest 4 June in soccer history because both England captain, Rio Ferdinand, and Ivory Coast star forward Didier Drogba were felled by opposing players. (The injuries occurred in a pre-tournament practice and a friendly game, respectively.)

World Cup Curse or End of Season Exhaustion

Mark Meadows at Reuters sees the injuries as an inevitable part of pre-World Cup protocol, noting that soccer players, just coming off of their regular season are tired and overworked. He says, “Footballers are bound to be tired after a long season and tweaks are to be expected, it’s the curse of the World Cup itself coming at the end of the soccer year for many nations.

He adds a warning for Bafana Bafana, who are playing Denmark today in their last international friendly. “Is there something amiss here? Are players trying too hard in friendlies and training? I reckon teams in the remaining friendlies will be thinking again before launching into any risky tackles.”

Rio Ferdinand – England (Captain)

Rio Ferdinand has never looked in good condition this season. A back injury limited Ferdinand to only 13 Premier League appearances for Manchester United this past season and now, in a gentle warm up IN South Africa – on a perfect pitch,  Ferdinand injured his knee on a challenge from teammate Emile Heskey during a training session on June 4th – England

Didier Drogba – Ivory Coast

The English Premier League’s top scorer for the 2009-10 season fractured his elbow during a friendly with Japan on June 4 and has been ruled out of the World Cup.

Drogba had just scored for the Ivory Coast when he was injured in a clash with Japanese centre back Tulio and left the pitch in the 15th minute

Michael Essien – Ghana (Captain)

Yet another captain who will miss the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Michael Ballack’s Chelsea teammate was officially ruled out of the competition on May 27 after learning he would not fully recover from his knee injury until the end of July.

The loss of Michael Essien spells bad news for Ghana, who is drawn into Group D alongside Germany, Serbia, and Australia.

David Beckham – England

David Beckham probably would not have started for the Three Lions, the reason why he is our first entry. His dreams of becoming the only Englishman to ever compete in four World Cups came to a grinding halt when the world’s most recognizable athlete tore his Achilles tendon while playing for AC Milan.

René Adler – Germany

René Adler became the first choice keeper during Germany’s World Cup qualifying campaign following the retirement of Jens Lehmann and Robert Enke’s suicide.

Now head coach Joachim Löw will have to make due without his No. 1 in South Africa because Adler received a serious rib injury back in April.

Michael Ballack – Germany (Captain)

Michael Ballack, Germany Captain, was ruled out of the World Cup after tearing his medial collateral ligament during Chelsea’s FA Cup Final win over Portsmouth on May 15. This means that Germany lost their captain and their No1 goalkeeper to injuries.

Charlie Davis – USA

Although he is by no means a world-class striker, he was still one of the best the United States had to offer. Coach Bob Bradley had just started to enjoy some success pairing Charlie Davies with the young Jozy Altidore up front when USA suffered this devastating loss.

On October 13, 2009—the night before the Yanks were scheduled to play Costa Rica in a CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier—Davies was involved in a fatal automobile accident that claimed the life of the other passenger.

He worked hard to recover in time for the World Cup but Bradley left him off of the roster when Davies’ club, French side Sochaux, failed to grant him medical clearance.

Source: bleacher report

PHOTO: Ivory Coast’s Didier Drogba lies injured during the international friendly soccer match against Japan in Sion June 4, 2010. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

Popularity: 2% [?]

Bafana Bafana Celebrate Goal in Polokwane.

Bafana Bafana vs Guatemala turned in to a triumph last night in Polokwane for the home team when record were broken – Bafana skipper Aaron Mokoena wore a special jersey to celebrate his 100th cap as the Boyz slotted five goals into the net.

Bafana 5 – Guatemalo 0

Bafana 5 – Guatemala 0 was the final score. A brace from Katlego Mphela and one apiece from Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Surprise Moriri and Bernard Parker led South Africa to a record-breaking win.

Steven Pienaar, Letsholonyane and Teko Modise worked well in midfield in the first half.

Second Half Changes

A number of changes after the break by both coaches looked likely to slow the tempo of the game down in the second period. However, they had an opposite effect as Bafana picked up where they had left off. Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira made three changes in the break with Macbeth Sibaye on for Letsholonyane, Bryce Moon replacing Anele Ngcongca and Surprise Moriri coming on for Teko Modise.

One of those substitutes, Surprise Moriri, made an instant impact, scoring just three minutes after coming on. The Mamelodi Sundowns forward made it 3-0 by slotting home unchallenged in the centre of the box after being fed by Mphela.

Bernard Parker – Spectacular Goal

The most spectacular goal in this Bafana Bafana vs Guatemala tussle came from second half substitute and Confederations cup hero Bernard Parker, who picked up the ball on the sideline, beat two defenders and hit a shot from 25-yards across the goalkeeper and into the top corner.

The 63rd minute saw the introduction of Mathew Booth to thunderous shouts of “Boooooth” from the exuberant Polokwane crowd.

Steven Pienaar, who was impressive throughout, came inches from scoring in the 72nd minute with a fantastic free-kick that hit the top-corner of the cross-bar and upright.

Goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs

Bafana Stopper Moeneeb Josephs certainly put up his hand to be the team’s number one goalkeeper with an impressive performance and a magnificent save of a penalty from captain Guillermo Ramires after the inconsistent ref got it wrong.

Image: Bafana Bafana Celebrate. siyagobhoza

Coach Calros Alberto Parreira Will announce the 23-man Bafana Bafana Squad on TV1 this morning.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Bafana Bafana vs Guatemala – this is the penultimate in international friendly in the South African National team’s 2010 World Cup build-up campaign. Kickoff is tonight at 8.30 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.

South Africa have looked solid in the past week, drawing 1-1 against Bulgaria on Monday before beating Colombia 2-1 on Thursday.

Bafana Captain, Aaron Mokoena

Bafana captain and Portsmouth midfielder, Aaron Mokeona will reach a milestone no other South African footballer has reached when he runs on the filed with his team tonight to face Central American minnows Guatemala – Mokoena will earn his 100th cap.

Mokoena stresses that the players must not take their foot off the pedal against Guatemala in Polokwane.

“They have come here to test us. We cannot underestimate them as we have only 10 days left and only one more friendly (against Denmark on the 5th) to tune up for the World Cup,” Mokoena said.

“We cannot afford to waste these vital warm-up matches and believe me, we are taking Guatemala as serious as we would the other countries we played last week such as Bulgaria and Colombia.”

Guatemala Team

Guatemala’s players’ mental focus on the match could be uncertain after the country experienced a terrible natural disaster the past few days. They could turn up the heat and make it sticky for the hosts.

In the World Cup Qualifiers to Germany 2006, they went all the way to the last round, where they beat Surinam 4:2 in the second round, and then finished in second place behind Costa Rica in group B, while the other two teams were Honduras and Canada. In the third round they had wins against Canada, Costa Rica and then tied against Honduras and then lost to Costa Rica and then won 1:0 to Honduras, which was when they sealed their pass to the last round and last lost to Canada.

In the last round, they finished in 5th place, they needed a Mexico win or tie against Trinidad and Tobago to advance to the FIFA World Cup.

They tried to qualify for South Africa 2010, but due to bad results both at home and away, they failed to reach a World Cup again.

One of the most talented players in Guatemala history is Carlos Ruiz, who plays for Puebla in Mexico.

Final Cut to Bafana Squad

Bafana Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira is probably going to give as many players as he can a run to take a last look at them before he makes up his mind for the final 23-man squad that he will announce tomorrow.

According to football. 365 Bafana Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has revealed he is not looking forward to making the final cull to his squad before the World Cup. He will announce the 23-man Bafana Bafana Squad tomorrow on June 1.

The Bafana Bafana boss must cut six players from his provisional 30-man line-up, with Andile Jali already ruled out of the showpiece through a heart condition. Read more

Popularity: 7% [?]