The World Cup hosts served three decades in isolation as a result of apartheid. Now the country awaits inauguration as the first African nation to host the FIFA World Cup finals. Re-admitted to the international stage in 1992, South Africa took on World Cup quarter-finalists Cameroon and marked their return with a 1-0 win. Their first attempt to qualify for the World Cup ended in failure though, but just a few years later, under coach Clive Barker, South Africa won the 1996 African Nations Cup and then qualified for their first World Cup at France ’98.
Barker though did not lead South Africa to France and son of the soil Jomo Sono took over, guiding the team to the Nations Cup final in Burkina Faso ’98, en route to the World Cup, for which Philippe Troussier was in charge. South Africa were eliminated in the group stage without a win, while South Korea/Japan in 2002 again saw a group stage exit. Grouped with France, Mexico and Uruguay in Group A, the hosts have a tough task to avoid a third group stgae exit in a row.
The Coach
Carlos Alberto Parreira (BRA)
67 years old
Carlos Alberto Parreira will be making his sixth World Cup finals appearance as a coach, breaking his own record of five. The Brazilian won the trophy with his native country in 1994, along with a finals appearance in 2006, and guided Kuwait (1982), Saudi Arabia (1998) and the United Arab Emirates (1990) to the tournament too. Parreira is the 15th coach to take charge of the Bafana Bafana since 1992, with his first taste of African football coming in 1968 with Ghana.
Appointed head coach in 2006 on a four-year contract, the Brazilian resigned after 16 months and returned home to nurse his ill wife. His first stint produced nine wins, six draws and six losses in 21 games. At the helm for a second spell now, after hand picked replacement Joel Santana flopped, South Africa will be expected to make it out of the group stage. “Being the underdogs doesn’t pressure us”, said Parreira, “but I’m telling you these boys are working hard and we are going to surprise many people in the World Cup. I’m telling you…we will surprise you. Don’t think we are going to be an easy target for other teams. It won’t happen. We will surprise you.”
Players to watch
Steven Pienaar
29 years old
Midfielder
Everton (ENG)
Hopes of a successful World Cup for South Africa rest heavily on Steven Pienaar’s shoulders. The midfielder suffered a record 120 fouls in the English Premier League season just gone and was also named Everton’s Player of the Season. The Johannesburg born midfield trickster possesses jazzy touches and a big game aura, and is currently the best foreign based South African player by miles. His oustanding vision and ability to bend a free kick makes him essential to South Africa to link up play.
Teko Modise
27 years old
Midfielder
Orlando Pirates (RSA)
The World Cup sets the stage well for many players to showcase their skills and one who could be stolen away after the finals is Orlando Pirates star Teko Modise. The midfielder is a very imposing player, a typical local dazzler with neat touches. Admired all over the country, Modise in his best form can cause havoc for the opposition. He is considered one of the most talented players of his generation and his understanding with team-mates could send the volume of those long horned vuvuzelas high if he can help South Africa progress from the group stage.
Aaron Mokoena
29 years old
Centre Back/Defensive Midfielder
Portsmouth (ENG)
By the time the tournament kicks off Aaron Mokoena will have already celebrated a century of caps, becoming the first Bafana Bafana player to do so. Mokoena made his debut in 1999 and became the country’s youngest international at the age of 18, even managing to rub shoulders with the man he later succeeded as captain, Lucas Radebe. A much disciplined tough tackling defender who can also play in midfield, Mokoena learned his craft with Ajax before crossing the border to Belgium and then heading to England. If South Africa have any chance of fulfilling the local fantasy of winning the World Cup, then Mokoena, known as Mbazo (the axe) will have to be at his finest.
Katlego Mphela
25 years old
Forward
Mamelodie Sundowns (RSA)
European clubs are already weighing up the possibility of signing 2009/10 Premier Soccer League top goalscorer Katlego Mphela. The 25-year-old is known for unleashing ridiculously powerful shots that leave goalkeepers rooted to the spot, and his 30-yard free kick strike against European Champions Spain in injury time of their Confederations Cup meeting still stirs local memories. Mphela will be expected to lead the attack for the Bafana Bafana and if his goalscoring form can continue then South Africa will be in business.
The view from South Africa
With a team lacking in enough imposing figures and on the pitch leaders, South Africa will be relying on teamwork and home advantage to spring some surprises and advance. Expectations may not be sky-high, but getting out of their group will be demanded. “We have to do well, we need to get to the quarter-final”, captain Aaron Mokoena stated.
Prediction
In the late 90s and early 2000s, South Africa was a team many could fear, but those days are long gone, along with the peak of their most talented stars: Striker Benni McCarthy’s special training regime in his failed bid to make the World Cup tells that story. Endless entertainment could come at a price for a team lacking in physique and endurance. However, the presence and influence of the coach is crucial and with home advantage anything is still possible.
Did you know?
In all three World Cup finals appearances South Africa will have had at least one player with the surname Mokoena. William “Naughty” Mokoena was a member of the France ’98 squad, which Aaron Mokoena and Teboho Mokoena were at South Korea/Japan in 2002. Aaron Mokoena is the current captain and will be there this time.
Group games
11/06/10: South Africa 1 – 1 Mexico – Soccer City, Johannesburg
16/06/10: South Africa 0 – 3 Uruguay – Tshwane/Pretoria
22/06/10: South Africa 2 – 1 France – Bloemfontein
