The host country may have the emotional boost, especially if 91-yr-old Nelson Mandela (see photo below with CR) does make an appearance at the opening match. It would be reminiscent of the famed rugby match when shortly after taking over the presidency, Mandela spurred on a country to unite and cheer for the former Apartheid posterboys, the Springboks. His experiment worked and the Boks were victorious over the hallowed All Blacks of New Zealand.
I'm not sure Bafana Bafana can overcome the spirited Mexican side. My prediction is 2-1 Mexico.
As for France and Uruguay...I really don't have a prediction. Les Bleus, the 2006 runners-up, definitely have the talent to win but have struggled to capitalize on that talent and barely qualified.
Uruguay is fronted by Atletico Madrid star Diego Forlan, who said yesterday that he would like to return to England and play in the EPL. He got the boot (literally) from Sir Alex at United when he disobeyed the gaffer and wore the boots of his choice during a match. He slipped and missed a sitter (United lost), and he snuck back in the dressing room to change into the boots Ferguson had wanted him to wear. He wasn't successful in dodging the boss and as he put it, "that was my last match for United." He now says he loved his time in Manchester and respects Sir Alex. I'm not sure United fans would remember Diego with fondness, nor the gaffer.
If France plays the way they should play then I could see a one-goal advantage in their favor. But Diego is coming off a fantastic Europa League win for Atletico and seems to have something to prove. My best guess would be a 1-1 draw.
OTHER WC NEWS:
JOHANNESBURG -- Didier Drogba has returned to training just days after surgery on a broken arm and could be considered for Ivory Coast's opening World Cup match against Portugal.
The Ivory Coast captain had surgery Saturday on a broken arm sustained in a friendly against Japan the previous day, casting doubt over his availability for the World Cup.
The 32-year-old Drogba wore a light protective cast on his arm during practice on Thursday, raising coach Sven-Goran Eriksson's hopes the Chelsea striker will be fit for Tuesday's Group G match at Port Elizabeth.
"If the match had been today or tomorrow, he wouldn't be able to play," Eriksson says. "But it's in a few days. He might play." [end story]
I don't know what to think of this news. When Ryan Giggs had a hairline fracture of his wrist in the middle of United's season, he sat out quite a few matches (in the meat of the season), and he didn't require surgery. Ivory Coast needs Drogba to compete so I can understand why they are desperate to have him. Drogba is coming off his best club season, winning the EPL Golden Boot. I'm not sure that his team has the moxie to make it very far so this revelation that he might play with a light cast is puzzling. How can a player put that out of his mind when the slightest knock could be excruciating? The opposition (Portugal in the first match) will know he is injured and exploit that.
Oh wait....he plays for C-Club, which requires no brain whatsoever...now it makes sense! :)
The Ivorians are managed by quite possibly the dumbest man in football. Eriksson is an opportunist who has been fired (quickly) by every club he's managed. He made a mess of things in Mexico for the NT and went where anyone would give him a paycheck...now he says (while he's supposedly readying Cote d'Ivoire for the WC) that his dream job would be the vacated Liverpool position. Uggghhhh. I'm no Scouser fan, but I wouldn't wish that idiot on anyone.
UPDATE ON ACCOMODATIONS:
The junior sports minister from France made a big issue out of her NT's digs; too posh for her taste. She mentioned Spain's frugalness in staying at a University, making it sound as if they were lodged in sub-standard dormitories. Well...I found photos of the "sub-standard" living the Spaniards will be enjoying at Potchefstroom University:
As you can see...I don't think Spain will be complaining about the digs...
CRISTIANO MEETS MANDELA:
Cristiano realized "a dream" on Wednesday when he accompanied Portuguese NT manager Carlos Queiroz and their sports minister to meet the former president.
CR and Mandela
AND NOW FOR THE KICKER...
Wayne Drehs of ESPN asked a much-debated question for the WC masses...should they or shouldn't they? If you want his answer, click the link below:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/5271388/ce/us/athletes-having-sex?cc=5901&ver=us
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