France Waves Adieu and Bafana Bafana Go Out Singing...

Well, we knew that it was going to be difficult for either France or South Africa to qualify. Their fate was out of their hands, and it was all down to the final result in the other game between Uruguay and Mexico. If that game played out to a draw, then neither France nor South Africa stood a chance. But if, and only if, either France or SA could get a win with a significant number of goals, to better Mexico's goal difference, then either one of the two sides would be through.

For France, well let's just say it was quite an eventful weekend for them, coming into yesterday's game. To be honest it's been quite an eventful tournament for them, just not where it matters most i.e. the pitch. Controversy off the pitch has shrouded the French team since they arrived in SA and hasn't done them any favours, after they could only pick up one point out of 6 before the clash with the hosts. Before, we go on about the game any further, I think it wise to sidetrack ourselves with this whole French fiasco, because it clearly took over all the preparations leading up to this vital game.

So Anelka got sent home because of a foul-mouthed tirade launched against the boss, in their game against Mexico at half time. This was why he was substituted apparently. But, according to the French camp and Domenech, it wasn't as bad as it has been made out to be, it wouldn't have gotten as out of hand as it did had Anelka just apologised and it wouldn't have been blown up out of proportion as it did, had the media not got wind of it. Sometimes, I think that the media, have a lot to account for. Apparently, there is someone in the French camp, that is a "traitor" - a "mole" who has been leaking the private goings-on, like this whole Anelka thing, to the press, who have taken it and squeezed out every last bit of juicy gossip they could. Surely, the media from one's own country, should be respecting their team and giving them the opportunity to advance as much as it can in the competition, without the added stress and pressure of private, internal affairs being laid out for all and sundry to see. Yes there's freedom of speech, but when it will damage a team, that has been preparing for the final matches, and are about to go into a game, which they need to win, surely this bit of juicy gossip can wait?

Had it not been for the media exploding on to the scene, Anelka might not have actually been sent home. He might have been "rested" against SA, but the French team may have wanted to keep the whole story under wraps, until they were back home. That wouldn't have resulted in the player's boycott of their training session, which in my opinion, was not only selfish but thoughtless too. I mean, they are about to play in their last game in the World Cup, they still have a chance to qualify, it might be small, but it's a chance nonetheless, and yet the players are acting as though they have already been dumped out of the competition and have seemed to have forgotten, that they are there for their nation, not for themselves.

The fact that Raymond Domenech could not talk them out of their "mutiny" and force them to train, probably highlights his relation to the team, the lack of respect and his own inabilities to control and "manage" the side. The players, from the way they were acting, seem to have their own way of managing the team, and whilst trying to make a point, inadvertently succeeded in not only displaying the magnanimous cracks within the team, but also in alienating their own fans and supporters, who according to the papers, were disgusted with their team's pathetic and "child-like" behaviour. The fight that Evra had with the fitness trainer and then the FFF's vice-president's resignation just typifies what many supporters see as the big-headedness of the French team. They see the players as largely overpaid buffoons who have no respect for the management, and who have no desire, ambition or passion to be playing in this world cup.

I, like many, don't understand what was going through the player's head at the time. Yes, they wanted to show solidarity, but ironically reports began to emerge of some players not happy with the boycott, and again, of the players and the coach being on two different planets and heading in completely opposite directions. Surely, the players should have put aside their differences, in place of the national interest and fought for their pride. They are supposed to be professionals after all and they had one shot still left to go through...it wasn't an impossible feat by any means. Even though they resumed training the following day, the cracks in the French team weren't going away, and surely the whole debacle of the previous days, would have remained in the player's minds and effected their mentality coming into the final game. Psychologically, they would have been ready to give up and just go home, before the game even got underway against Bafana Bafana.

The South Africans, on the other hand, would have been relishing the prospect of capitalising on a weakened French side, and making their supporters proud, by trying to get through to the last 16 stage. The stadium in Bloemfontein was packed to the rafters with swarms of yellow and green supporters, keeping an eager eye on the other match, which was happening at the same time. Bafana Bafana were a sharp contrast to their French counterparts in the tunnel - singing, dancing and generally enjoying the buzz from the crowd as they prepared to do battle. The French, on the other hand, were a largely changed side, from the ones we had seen on the two previous occasions, with plenty of new faces coming in. You wouldn't be surprised to hear that it wasn't down to injury worries or suspensions or anything else, but down to the events that had dominated the French preparations beforehand.

Evra, Henry, Malouda, Abidal and Govou all found themselves a place on the bench. In their place, on came, Clichy, Squillaci, Cisse and captain for the day, Alou Diarra. It was a controversial decision to leave their best players on the pitch - I didn't understand it. I mean I know what has gone on, but when you still have a chance, why would you make it harder for yourself? It was almost as though Domenech had forgotten his side did still have a chance. He probably thought it would be easier for him to manage the players on the pitch, than those watching from the bench. A further example of his ineffective managing abilities perhaps?

South Africa had to replace their keeper after Khune was sent off in the game against Uruguay, and also made some changes to their squad, determined to end the group stages on a high. And it took them just 20 minutes to take advantage of some poor keeping by Hugo Lloris, when a corner was swept in from his left. He swung at air rather than at the ball, allowing Khumalo a free shot at goal. He didn't need asking twice and suddenly the South African supporters were bellowing down their vuvuzelas sensing an upset could be on the cards here. With the other game still on level terms though, the South Africans were praying for some help from Uruguay.

However, they tried to make things as easy as possible for themselves by doubling their advantage, just before half time. For the French on the other hand, as if things couldn't get any worse, they did when Yoann Gourcuff was sent off for what looked like a high elbow in the box. It was a really harsh decision by the referee, but pretty much summed up a dismal tournament for the French where nothing has gone right for them. South Africa's goal came as a result of some poor defending, when the French lost the ball in their own area, giving Mphela the chance to bundle it home. South Africa were 2-0 up, the vuvuzelas had a life of their own, and the crowd began to believe that qualification was within touching distance. Add to that the fact that Suarez had just scored for Uruguay, against Mexico and things were looking decidedly more rosy for the hosts. They just needed a few more goals, or to hope that Uruguay scored one or two more...

Except it was France that finally got their first goal of the tournament, pretty much ending Bafana Bafana's hopes. South Africa's Mphela had several chances in front of goal, but they were saved well by Lloris. Mphela's closest chance came soon after the restart, when he just clipped the post and missed. It was a largely frustrating second half for the fans and the team and as the second half wore on Bafana Bafana became more and more desperate, shooting from range and not really getting anywhere. With elimination looming, Domenech sent on Malouda for Gignac, and finally gave Henry some playing time...not that it came to much. France were easily able to go forward whilst SA did the same at the other end, exploiting SA's weak defence, to score a goal, that came far too late to be of any relevance. It was an easy goal for Malouda to score in the end, after some good play by Sagna and Ribery and it was the only thing able to completely silence the vuvuzelas.

France were able to see out the game without conceding any more and they, along with the hosts, were subsequently ousted from the competition. So then came the end of Domenech's era as manager of the French side and instead of bowing out gracefully, he was keen to end it on one last controversial moment, by refusing to shake the hands of SA coach Parreira. Domenech spent 5 minutes trying to explain why he didn't want to shake it with all cameras pointed at him, when it would have been easier for him to have spent half a second just shaking the man's hand and being a gracious loser. It kind of summed up everything about this French team in a way. In this tournament, we saw the good, the bad and the ugly. The good thing about them? Well, they made everyone else look much better. The bad: well that was their football on the pitch...and the ugly? Well, I think that one's pretty obvious. It will no doubt be remembered as a shameful era in French football and one which French fans will want to wipe from their memories as soon as possible. Everyone knows that in football, it is often the failures that you're remembered for, not the successes and Domenech, who took the team to the finals in 2006, will probably be remembered for everything that went wrong in this illustrious crop of world class footballers.

It's a sad time for French football...

But for the Irish, well, they will see it as karma and will be bending over backwards laughing at this French "team" that cheated the Irish to get to the finals...and self-destructed when they got there...

Frustrating France Fail To Score As Mexico Wins 2-0...

France are in real danger of being knocked out in the first stage of this year's competition. After quite literally qualifying by the skin of their teeth, they now look to be the first of the 'heavyweights' on their way out, after suffering a defeat at the hands (pardon the pun) of Mexico last night in Polokwane.

This defeat, following their dismal 0-0 draw against Uruguay last Friday night, leaves them with only a point with 1 game, against the hosts, still left to play. However, hopes of qualifying are now out of French hands (sorry, I can't seem to help it) regardless of the score against South Africa. They have the slimmest of chances of qualifying: if Uruguay and Mexico fail to draw in their last game, and France beat South Africa with a huge goal difference, they may go through.

So qualification is still possible, but in order to do that, they are first going to have to be able to at least score some goals, something, which they could not manage to do last night. After the first group games in Group A ended with a point apiece, and following Uruguay's 3-0 win over SA the previous night, France knew that they had to get themselves in gear and win if they were to prove their doubters wrong and give themselves a chance of going through to the last 16 stage.

After much criticism following his formation and the players he chose, Raymond Domenech made a few changes to his side: he left Gourcuff on the bench in place of Malouda, but strangely enough decided to stick with Govou and Anelka who did not have the best of games against Uruguay. Instead of a 4-3-3 formation, he changed it to a 4-2-3-1 with Anelka playing as the lone striker. France did start off better than they had against Uruguay, and this was probably owing to the change in formation as well as the inclusion of Malouda. But to be fair, they didn't have much to improve on from their first game.

They were able to go forward a bit more, especially down the wings but lacked that cutting edge and drive to get into the box and finish off their chances. Anelka, who has now gone a long time without scoring both for Chelsea and for France, looked a shadow of the prolific striker that we saw a long while back, and was unable to create anything for himself or for his teammates. It was frustrating to watch him just standing there, not doing much, and unable to affect the game in any shape or form. Mexico were also quite lively in the opening half, but were again not clinical enough in their finishing. They suffered an early loss upfront, when Vela was forced to go off injured with what looked like a hamstring injury. Vela was replaced by Pablo Barrera, who from the moment he was on the pitch was able to bring a new energy to the game. He was quick and pacy, and able to trouble the French defence into making mistakes. Gallas didn't look at all comfortable with Abidal in the centre of defence, and seemed to be making the most simplest of mistakes. For example, when Oscar Salcido had the ball in the area, Gallas just stood stock still, without even going to close him down which allowed Salcido to take the shot. Luckily for Gallas, he missed but that was not the only bit of shaky defending we saw from the French during the match. Both Salcido and Dos Santos were great for Mexico and put the French players to shame, by easily finding their way past them to get forward.

Domenech finally realised that the inefficient Anelka had to be substituted, and so at the beginning of the second half, replaced him with Gignac. Domenech may have changed the players, but he didn't change the shape, so again the French team were fruitless going forward. There was just no service for the Toulouse striker despite the likes of Ribery, Diaby and Toulalan in midfield. France were made to pay for their inability to score, when Mexican substitute and Man Utd new boy, Javier Hernandez beat the offside trap and scored, after being one-on-one with keeper Hugo Lloris. It was as though the French defence had suddenly gone to sleep, they were looking to the assistant on the far side as they believed Hernandez to be offside, but further replays showed that it was Abidal who was playing "Chicharito" onside. Pure indiscipline, lack of communication and lack of organisation on the part of the French and it looks as though SAF has made another good signing for the Red Devils.

Abidal, who doesn't normally play at centre back, had looked uncertain all evening in that role alongside Gallas. There was just no natural understanding between the two, probably due to the fact that they haven't been playing together like that for very long. And, it was Abidal again who was at fault for the second Mexican goal. This time he gave away a penalty, after blatantly preventing a goal scoring opportunity by Barrera. Blanco, the 37 year old who I mentioned in a previous post, had been put on in place of Guillermo Franco. He stepped up and smashed the ball past Lloris to pretty much seal a first Mexican win over France. Oscar Tabarez's positive substitutions worked a treat and Mexico definitely deserved to be in the lead. They had played the better football, had worked the ball, made the French defence labour and seemed to want it more.

Even before Mexico got that second goal, I put my hands up in despair, as I just could not see how France were going to score. They were poor offensively, unable to create anything out on the wings or even in the middle of the park and the unfortunate forwards who were expecting some kind of service, just weren't getting any. Then, it struck me. The reason why France were uninspiring, unable to create anything and ultimately poor in front of goal was simple. They were missing the irreplaceable presence of one man: Zinedine Zidane. The more and more I thought about it, the more sense it made. Since his retirement in 2006, to be perfectly honest, the French have been pretty woeful. They were poor in 2008, when they finished bottom of their group with only a point to their name. And even in 2002, when Zidane was still around, it was exactly the same story. Why? Because Zidane was injured at the time. France are suffering from post-Zidane syndrome. Without him, it seems that they are unable to do anything. After all, wasn't it he who in 2006, won the Best Player of the Tournament? And wasn't it Zidane who had run the show against the Brazilians to get the French on their way to the final? It was Zidane also who had taken the penalty that won them the game against Portugal, and again he who scored against the Italians before the infamous "coupe de boule" incident. Short of writing a whole essay on the importance of Zizou, it is clear to see that the French are missing him dearly and have not been able to find an alternative player, who can at least try and fill those very big boots that he has left behind. I know he has retired, but France need a player like Zidane to inject some spark, creativity and intelligence into their game. Let's be fair...it's not like France are short of talent. Some of those names you see out there on the pitch are world class players but they have looked far from their best in this tournament and have given the impression that they are unable to work collectively.

In 2006, a player the French could have relied on for this kind of creativity and attacking threat, besides Zidane was Thierry Henry. However, sitting there on the sidelines, huddled up in a blanket from the cold, he looked less and less like the Thierry Henry of yesteryear and more and more like the old grandad of the team. Seriously, had you given him a cup of cocoa you would have completed the image perfectly. I felt so sorry for him. I know he hasn't been playing regularly for Barca either, but Henry is still Henry. He may have lost a few yards of his pace, he may not be as sharp as he once was...but his brain, well that's still the same. If you put him on, he will still be able to come up with something. He hasn't lost everything...if he had, why bring him? Why keep him on the bench when you're 2-0 down, and needing some inspiration? Wasn't it Henry that assisted Gallas against the Irish? It was a handball, but it was also Henry who was down there in the Irish box, working his socks off to push France to the finals. Surely for all he has done for the world of football, he deserves far more respect than the bench?

I was shouting, as were many I expect, for Domenech to put Henry on. Unfortunately, I don't think Domenech heard, because he didn't put Henry on. He put Valbuena on for Govou and that's all he did. The body language of the manager of the French team was incredible. His side were losing 2-0, effectively on the verge of going out of the finals of the World Cup, yet Domenech was probably the calmest man in the stadium. It was almost as though his team was the one 2-0 up, not down. I mean there was just no urgency or passion or agitation about him. You wanted him to be nervous or screaming at his players or doing something to get his team back on track. It is at times like this that the team, the players, look to their manager to direct them as to what to do next. Instead Domenech was casually looking on seemingly nonplussed about the whole thing. He has nothing to lose. After the tournament, he will be replaced by Laurent Blanc. What a strange decision to announce this before the finals. Domenech knows that no matter how bad his team performs and how much flak he cops, it won't matter so much, because he's going at the end of it all anyway. The result, for him at least, will be the same whatever happens.

At the end of it all, Mexico thoroughly deserved their victory. They were the team with the attacking intent, with the desire to win, with the right spirit and mentality. They were hounding the French players on the pitch every time France won the ball, forcing them to relinquish possession. It was clear that once the penalty was scored, the body language of the French players was one of despair. They were ready to give up before they had even really got going. Mexico will now be looking to finish strongly in order to qualify for the last 16 and the 2-0 scoreline seems a far cry away from the first ever world cup match, played between these two teams, with the score 4-1 in France's favour. The performance of France's green-shirted opponents will also no doubt have pleased the Irish, who will feel that some justice has probably been done.

As predicted, the French papers this morning did not go at all easy on their players, with some papers even claiming that the French team are not worthy of wearing the famous "maillot". Much of the criticism has inevitably been laid at Domenech's door for not using Gourcuff, for sticking with Govou, for not playing Malouda in the first game, for leaving Henry out etc... Many French supporters after the game were seen wagging their middle finger at their side, and their manager. I can totally understand their frustration - having paid all that money to come and support their side in SA and seeing absolutely nothing from them would be enough to wind anyone up. If France do go out this early, then it is clear that something needs to be done to rectify this fragmented team. Perhaps a change in management will be the solution. France will need to go back and reassess themselves, and based on the recent performances we have seen, it is clear to see that Laurent Blanc has a real job on his hands. Having said that, any amount of improvement will be seen as positive change as he can't really do much worse than what the situation has become already...

Fantastic Forlan Fires Two Past Bafana Bafana!

Bafana Bafana kicked off the second set of group games against fellow Group A opponents Uruguay in Pretoria last night. What made the game even more significant was the fact that it was actually a bank holiday in SA yesterday marking the anniversary of the Soweto uprising. This meant the streets were packed with green and gold supporters, all hoping for another upset against the team from South America. After a shock victory for the unfancied Swiss against one of the favourites Spain, Uruguay, also known as the Switzerland of Latin America, were hoping to replicate the real Switzerland's triumph from earlier in the day.

The stadium was packed to the rafters on what was a chilly night in Tshwane. As the South Africans began to gear up in the tunnel, by singing an old mining song that I've been hearing a lot lately, you could feel the sense of anticipation welling up in the stadium. South Africans are not stupid, they know that their team is not the best out there and realistically probably won't go all the way, but they have hope, faith and belief in their side. South Africans want their team to do well and many were predicting a 2-1 win last night. Unfortunately for Bafana Bafana and their fans, the vuvuzelas were silenced by the feet of one man: Diego Forlan.

Uruguay were a completely different side to the one we saw against France on Friday night. They were more adventurous going forward, they were able to create space and more importantly chances and were not perturbed by the raucous din that filled the Loftus Versveld stadium, a stadium in which previously, South Africa have remained unbeaten. Uruguay were able to take control and assumed the ascendancy as the first half wore on, largely thanks to former Man U forward, Diego Forlan. Forlan was playing just behind the two centre forwards, Suarez and Cavani - not his normal playing position but it was one that suited him well. Everywhere you looked, you saw Forlan. Seriously, he was all over the pitch - he was back there defending, down the wings, creating magic in the middle and going forward too. It really was him at the centre of virtually everything and SA were unable to find a way to contain the striker who has had so much success this season with Atletico Madrid.

And so it was Forlan, (who else?) that scored the first goal. Now this goal was something else! A right screamer of a shot. He got the ball 30 yards out, SA failed to close him down, he decided to take a shot from distance and it got a little deflection of Aaron Mokoena's head and landed sweetly into the back of the net, dipping at just the right time. I know people have been saying that the Jabulani is a difficult ball to control, but that was as sweet a control as I've seen in this tournament so far.

SA were unable to create much going forward. They were being run off the ball far too easily and didn't provide much of a threat to Muslera's goal. Tshabalala kept trying to shoot from distance, as he had done in the opening game, but was unable to find the back of the net this time. It was difficult for them to make any chances, and the ones they got, were often wasted by shooting from really far out, not really troubling Uruguay at all.

The second half was much the same, with yet more positive play by Uruguay. They had their chances too, but could not extend their lead. Suarez, who came into this tournament, on the back of a great goalscoring season with Ajax could not get himself a goal here against the hosts. His strike partner Cavani also missed some great chances. It was not until the 80 minute mark that they were given the opportunity to go 2-0 up. Suarez had run straight clear on goal and was brought down by the unfortunate South African keeper Khune, who had made some great stops against Mexico. Khune was subsequently red carded and replaced by SA's reserve keeper, Josephs. Pienaar was the one who had to make way. It took a while for Josephs to ready himself, before being thrown into immediate action as Forlan stepped up to take the penalty kick. Despite the wait, Forlan was able to smash the ball into the back of the net, with Josephs unable to keep it even though he dived the right way.

Although they were down to 10 men, SA actually saw most of the ball in the closing minutes but were unable to fashion any chances to get what seemed an unlikely draw. As they pushed forward to try and score, they were ultimately left open at the back, allowing Uruguay to score their third goal and thus kill the game off completely. It was Forlan again who orchestrated the move, passing to Suarez, who crossed the ball to Alvaro Perreira to head the ball in, deep into extra time.

For Bafana Bafana, it was a disappointing game which saw many supporters leaving once they were 2-0 down. It's clear to see that the country has high hopes and expectations for its team to do well as it's on home soil. And why not? I mean, they may not be the best team in the tournament, but South Korea were able to reach the semi-finals when they hosted it in 2002. However, their aim to qualify for the last 16 will be made much harder by the fact that they will be without Khune and also defender Dikgacoi, who got his second yellow card of the tournament, in their final group game. They will be coming up against 2006 finalists France, who play Mexico in the other Group A game this evening. SA will desperately try to conjure up the spirit of '95 when as total rank outsiders, François Pienaar and his rugby team were able to win the Rugby World Cup on home turf. Will this spirit be enough to get them through though? For Uruguay however, their dream of qualifying to the last 16 is definitely within touching distance...

Les Bleus draw a 'blanc'...

A massively disappointing start for the finalists of 2006 who could only manage a 0-0 draw with the winners of the first ever world cup tournament, Uruguay. Following the earlier 1-1 draw between SA and Mexico, the game was a good chance for either side to press home some advantage in Group A and get an early lead. However, things were not going to plan for the French, even before the game kicked off.

Rumours were rife that there was a great deal of discontent amongst the French camp before the game got underway regarding the appointment of Patrice Evra as the new captain. Furthermore, there were reports that a training ground row between the coach, Raymond Domenech and the much improved and on form, Florent Malouda was the reason behind Domenech's strange decision to leave him on the bench.

Domenech employed a 4-4-3 system with Anelka playing up front as the lone striker, and it was clear that this system did not suit them as they failed to create enough chances and build up any kind of tempo. The game was slow, uninspiring and not at all like the first game that had been played in the afternoon. It was so frustrating to watch France play: individually they have some great players but they just did not seem to be able to work together and fashion good enough chances. The only real glimpse at goal came from some good work by Ribery on the left who managed to get a through ball to Govou who missed from close range. Uruguay's Diego Forlan had their best chance in the first half but it was saved well by Hugo Lloris. Abou Diaby was probably France's best player of the first half. He was the only one willing to run at defenders and stand his ground whilst pushing forward to create something. Unfortunately, there was just no one else in the final third to finish off anything he was creating. Yoann Gourcuff had some pretty decent chances with some set pieces but ultimately they didn't amount to anything.

Things didn't improve much in the second half either. The game became very flat, the tempo was slow and the players had no spark or creativity about them. You couldn't help but feel disappointed and frustrated with them. It just made you wanna shout at the screen and urge them on to do something, anything that would give this game some life. Domenech eventually brought on Malouda for Gourcuff and later took Anelka off for Henry. But it was too little too late. Not only were his substitutions made way too late in the second half but they were of little effect. The shape obviously wasn't working against Uruguay because both teams were playing counter attacking football, which meant that there weren't many options available in the final third. However, Domenech made a like for like change with Anelka and Henry and didn't alter the formation proving even more frustrating for the watching spectators. He should have changed to 4-4-2 and kept Anelka on, to play alongside Henry. More chances may have been created that way.

Things livened up with the first red card of the tournament handed to Uruguay's Lodeiro, after a second bookable offence. With 10 minutes to go, France had a one man advantage but just failed to press it home. You would have thought that they would fancy their chances and push forward, but instead they didn't really change the way they were playing much to the annoyance of their fans. Henry had a great chance to win the game with a header that went just pass the goal. Out of favour, Henry also had a chance to nick a goal with a free kick deep into injury time, but it just hit the wall. I think that just about summed up a poor game for France and a good point for Uruguay. Following the match, the French media berated Domenech for his decision to leave Malouda on the bench and start with Govou, and his credentials as manager were once again put under scrutiny. There was also much talk about the spirit and mentality of the French players, who on the basis of last night, seemed to want to be anywhere but on that pitch. A disappointing end to what had been a lively and impressive start to the tournament.

It Begins...!!!

So: the day we have all been waiting for has finally arrived. The opening ceremony is over. The first match is over. And what a game it was!!!

In a packed Soccer City Stadium in Jo'burg, the opening ceremony was a festival of colour, passion, fun, exuberance and noise. It brought the feeling of excitement, that had been building up in the stomachs of all football fans for so many months, to life. There was this sense of anticipation, awe and real energy created by all the dancers and singers present at the ceremony. These days, we usually expect to see fireworks or some sort of pyrotechnics at these kinds of events, but South Africa didn't need fireworks to get the tournament off to a cracking start, the crowds of people and the vuvuzelas in particular did that for them! The noise was absolutely deafening but it just added to the African atmosphere. There were many important and famous people in the stadium. François Pienaar and Lucas Radebe joined the ITV team up in the stands. Sepp Blatter and the South African President, Jacob Zuma were out on the pitch to officially announce the start of the tournament. Unfortunately, due to the tragic death of his great granddaughter, former President and national hero, Nelson Mandela could not be present at the ceremony, but a pre-recorded video was played out to an audience of millions worldwide. The ceremony was truly special and depicted exactly what the World Cup means to South Africa: the Rainbow Nation united, Africa united and most importantly, world united.

As for the first match of the tournament: typically it was the host nation who played the first game, against Mexico. In the first half it looked like Mexico would spoil the party; they had the best part of the possession (61%) and the best chances. West Ham's Guillermo Franco missed two great chances from close range. Arsenal's Carlos Vela looked to have opened the scoring for this year's tournament, but his goal was ruled out for offside. South Africa's defending was poor but they made up for it with 2 minutes of the first half to go when they had a series of corners and chances, putting the Mexicans and the keeper Perez under a lot of pressure. Both sides went into half time 0-0, with Bafana Bafana the more optimistic of the two after that great end to the first half. It was this optimism and hope that propelled the South Africans to scoring the first goal of the tournament. I always thought that if South Africa were going to score, it would come on the break against the Mexicans. This is exactly what happened. They got hold of the ball in midfield and launched it down the left to the coolly named, Tshabalala who scored a screamer of a goal to really set the tournament alight. The goal sparked mass celebration amongst the crowd and the vuvuzelas reached an ear-splitting volume!!! Such euphoria and joy amongst the South Africans just made you want to celebrate and laugh along with them! So it came as a bit of a disappointment when Barcelona's Rafael Marquez managed to wheel away from the South African defenders, who lost concentration for a minute, and get the goal that levelled the game. There was a collective gasp when South Africa had a great chance to make it 2-1 - Mphela could only hit the post with just the keeper to beat. The game ended 1-1 but although the hosts weren't able to hold on for what would have been an incredible win, they can take heart from the fact that they were expected by many to lose today. A draw for Bafana Bafana is more than most would have hoped for and is no doubt a great start to their tournament hopes in their country.