Home advantage is the biggest factor that could help South Africa survive the group stages
Home advantage is the biggest factor that could help South Africa survive the group stages
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| South Africa will have to play exceptionally well to go beyond first round |
Becoming the first country not to progress beyond the mini-league first phase is a real prospect for arguably the weakest football nation bestowed the honour of staging the four-yearly international football showpiece.
A place among the eight top seeds ahead of the Cape Town draw last December was supposed to help Bafana Bafana (The Boys), but it actually hindered a team ranked 90 in the world. South Africa occupy Group A with former winners France as well as Uruguay and Mexico, all top-20 national teams in the latest rankings from world rulers FIFA.
Bookmakers see little hope for the first African country to stage the 80-year tournament, making them outsiders behind favourites France while Uruguay and Mexico share the same odds.
But South African supporters are praying football can deal another miraculous hand.
While there have been no public announcements, it would be surprising if the Aaron Mokoena-captained squad and Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira did not receive a special invitation before the June 11 kick-off.
Bafana Bafana will be asked to make the short trip from their hotel in an exclusive suburb of the financial hub to shake hands with an elderly, greying man revered around the world for his sacrifices on behalf of democracy.
Retired from public life, Mandela is blessed with many gifts and one is lifting national teams to unimagined heights like the 1995 Rugby World Cup-winning Springboks and the 1996 African Nations Cup-winning Bafana.
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Linda Buthelezi was the South Africa midfield 'enforcer' 14 years ago and said how Mandela arrived unexpectedly at the team hotel on the eve of the African final against Tunisia. "He is so humble, his speeches so inspirational, and he has a great sense of humour. As we were introduced, I hugged him. Instead of taking time off after his visit, the squad redoubled efforts to conquer the continent," he said.
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South Africans call it 'Madiba magic' the special effect Mandela has on those he meets and while winning the World Cup is beyond Bafana, a second-round place would do nicely.
Mandela magic
Nelson Mandela is blessed with many gifts and one is lifting national teams to unimagined heights like the 1995 Rugby World Cup-winning Springboks and the 1996 African Nations Cup-winning Bafana.
South Africans call it 'Madiba magic' - the special effect the first freely elected president of the country has on those he meets and while winning the World Cup is beyond Bafana, a second-round place would do nicely.
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