Betting odds South Africa

Manager: Carlos Alberto Perreira
Captain: Aaron Mokoena
FIFA World Ranking: 90
World Cup Appearances: 2
Bets World Cup: Round 1

South Africa Article

South Africa Team Profile

South Africa were granted their first ever World Cup when FIFA gave the continent the go-ahead to host the greatest footballing tournament on earth. The eyes of the world will be on South Africa and with great responsibility comes added pressure. Danny Jordan is the man employed to organise the world cup and ensure it’s ready on time to deliver a unique sporting spectacle. This will be South Africa‘s first ever taste of World Cup football as the hosts and they will want to leave their mark and ensure the travelling fans leave the continent with happy memories, regardless of how well their country does.

Despite problems with the construction side of things, Bafana Bafana’s biggest concern is the quality of the South African team. Many neutrals have already tipped South Africa to be the worst ever host nation in regards to how well the host country actually does in it’s own world cup. It’s up to the South African fans to create an atmosphere to remember but that will be extremely hard if their side doesn’t make inroads in the tournament itself. Manager Carlos Alberto Parreira is confident he will have a side capable of competing once the finals kick-off but we aren’t convinced.

Nickname: Bafana Bafana (The Boys)

Manager

South Africa, after only recently sacking Joel Santana after some disastrous displays from the national team, have one again seeked inspiration and, to put it bluntly, help from a Brazilian, as Carlos Alberto Perreira was chosen as the man to guide South Africa to a respectable finish on home soil.

There is no doubting the experience of the man having spent no less than 43 years in the managerial business. At 67 years of age, Perreira has certainly been around the block and then lapped it once more, as the variety of clubs he’s managed is quite remarkable, ranging from managing the Kuwait national team all the way up to leading his own country, Brazil. In a managerial career which consists of a mixture of both clubs and national teams, Perreira has spent roughly 26 years managing international sides, of which he has enjoyed three stints as Brazil manager, so perhaps he can install some Samba magic into the South Africa team.

We can honestly say, we doubt they’ll be a manager at South Africa with as much experience at all levels of international than Carlos Alberto Perreira, so the appointment looks a fantastic capture for South Africa, who definitely need some inspiring.

South Africa Key Players

Aaron Mokoena

The South African captain will need to step up for the finals and act as a true leader. With 90 caps, Mokoena is South Africa’s most capped player and with some of the squad still fairly young, his experience will be key in guiding South Africa along the right path. South Africa are often a side that can loose concentration when they go a goal down so the omen will be on Mokoena to restore faith in the ranks and enhance player morale.

Matthew Booth

If South Africa are to have a successful World Cup as host nation, they will need their favourite player to perform. Matthew Booth is not only their rock at the back but he also inspires the home supporters. Whenever Booth touches the ball, you’ll hear a roar of ‘BOOTH’. The 32 year old will be hoping to repay the support of the fans with a few solid performances at the back and possibly assert his presence in the oppositions penalty area as well. Booth is 6ft 6incs tall and will be key from set pieces for South Africa despite his low goalscoring tally of 1 goal in 26 international appearances.

Benni McCarthy

The Blackburn forward has been a controversial character for South Africa. He’s often had to make a choice between club and country with club often prevailing. This left a bad taste in the South African fans but they may need to swallow their pride and accept their most prolific striker back with open arms. McCarthy did retire from international football back in 2002 but made a swift return in 2004 and Joel Santana will be hoping to acquire his services next summer. The South Africans lack an out-an-out forward and McCarthy will fill the void. 31 goals in 76 games makes Benni McCarthy South Africa’s highest ever goalscorer and they will need his goals in South Africa next year.

Strengths

Unfortunately, South Africa don’t have too many strengths. Their team lacks any real quality and they will rely solely on the support from the home fans to get them through some tough matches. The South African’s showed their support at the FIFA Confederations Cup, mainly with their ‘vuvuzelas’, which we must warn you in advance, are blooming annoying. However, the atmosphere created by the fans with their vuvuzelas helped inspire the players to a fourth place finish and the Bafana Bafana faithful will be out in full force in a bid to drive their team to at least the last sixteen stage of the tournament.

Weaknesses

South Africa not only lack a potential match winner within their ranks but they lack a team capable of reaching the heights the fans demand. Bypassing the groups is a must as far the South African’s are concerned and anything less will be seen as a major disappointment. However, the home fans may be in for torrid time as we expect South Africa to struggle on home soil despite the support of the nation behind them. Their defence is vulnerable, their attack is blunt while their only glimmer of hope may rest in midfield. Teko Modise looked lively in the Confederations cup while Steven Pienaar looks a bright spark in the centre of the park. With the exception of the midfield, South Africa appear doomed.

South Africa Qualification for the World Cup:

South Africa qualified virtue of being the host nation. Their preparations have been good after surpassing all expectations in the FIFA Confederations Cup when reaching the Semi-Finals, before losing 1-0 to Brazil.

South Africa Qualifying Statistics:

This will be the very first World Cup held on South African soil.
The pressure is firmly on the South African players with many punters and even FIFA President Sepp Blatter concerned over the quality of the South African team.
This will be South Africa’s third World Cup after missing out on the 2006 finals but previously qualifying for both the 1998 & 2002 World Cups.

World Cup Potential:  2/5

The only thing favouring the South African’s is that they’re the host country. They will receive a tremendous reception in the opening game and will also sell out their games with ease as the Bafana Bafana faithful do their best to push South Africa to victory. However, without the support, South Africa wouldn’t have a hope in hell. If the players thrive on the atmosphere then they could surprise a few but that’s a big ‘IF’.

South Africa World Cup Betting Odds

South Africa to win the World Cup:         500/1 – bWin

Before the World Cup the odds on South Africa were 150/1 

Official South Africa World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers

Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs)

Shu-Aib Walters (Maritzburg United)

Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates)

Defenders

Matthew Booth (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Siboniso Gaxa (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Bongani Khumalo (Supersport United)

Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa, Israel)

Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth)

Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk)

Siyabonga Sangweni (Golden Arrows)

Lucas Thwala (Orlando Pirates)

Midfielders

Surprise Moriri (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Lance Davids (Ajax Cape Town)

Kagisho Dikgacoi (FC Fulham)

Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates)

Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs)

Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs)

Thanduyise Khuboni (Golden Arrows)

Steven Pienaar (Everton)

Macbeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan)

Strikers

Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Siyabonga Nomvete (Moroka Swallows)

Bernard Parker (FC Twente Enschede)

last update: 18 June 2010

World Cup 2010 South Africa Fixtures – Group A

World Cup 2010 Group A - Table

 World Cup Fixtures and Results

Despite World Cup football betting suggesting otherwise, are there just hints of South Africa being able to keep one World Cup record alive? World Cup history records that no host nation has gone out in the first round of the tournament, but that record looked seriously under threat, as the Bafana Bafana looked far from impressive over the past twelve months. So lost they looked, they have to have another change of personnel at the top as part of their World Cup preparations. It has only been 18 years since South Africa made their reappearance back onto the international scene, after being out in the wilderness because of political stances on apartheid. But on Monday, South Africa recorded their record result, as they thumped Guatemala 5-0 in an international friendly. Coached by Brazilian World Cup winning coach Carlos Parreira, there are signs that the hosts are getting their act together, after also beating South Americans Colombia in an International Friendly. The Colombia match was the first in the warm-ups, that Parreira could call upon all of his European stars, like West Ham’s Benni McCarthy. A well earned draw against Bulgaria had preceded that, and suddenly the Bafana Bafana do not look so far back in World Cup Betting.

South Africa raise the curtain on the World Cup on June 11th, with the opening match against Mexico. That is a Group A match, with the other opening day fixture coming from the same group between France v Uruguay. Betting on South Africa at the World Cup still means that you will be taking outside bets, as they are the long shot in group betting to qualify. But since Parreira returned to helm of South Africa, they have gone eleven games unbeaten since last November. Granted, because they automatically qualified for the World Cup as hosts, none of them have been competitive matches, but it still shows a lot of reserve. If they really have stepped up their game, then it could be a very tight affair in World Cup Group A. They are currently around 2/1 to qualify from the group, which is not too bad a bet with all things considered. They will have the massive home support behind them, and that could give them an extra man almost.

Midfielder Steven Pienaar is confident that the Bafana Bafana can cause some shocks at the World Cup. If their resilience shows against Uruguay and Mexico, then they could play their way into a real chance of keeping World Cup history alive. There are signs that South Africa, ruled out of all contention by pretty much all of the best bookmakers for betting on the World Cup, can make an impact. They may not be the most technically gifted side at the World Cup, but they have a lot of heart, and a lot of support. The build up has been long and patient, and while they are not going to win the World Cup outright, the hosts may well be worth keeping an eye on the individual match fixtures. The opener against Mexico has the most potential for an upset, as South Africa like to play with wing backs, and with Mexico being a free flowing team in attack, they are not likely to sit back and stifle all life out of South Africa. With the raucous home crowd behind them, it may be time to re-evaluate the betting chances of the 2010 host nation.
 

There has not been a lot of optimism surrounding hosts South Africa and their chances of making a great impression in the historic tournament. For the first time in the World Cup’s history, the tournament is being held on the African continent, but the hosts have had their problems with form ahead of the tournament. World Cup 2010 warm up matches for the Bofana Bofana have included drawn matches against Paraguay and a recent 0-0 tie against World Cup entrants Korea DPR. A lot of the problems surrounding the build up of the South Africans, is that they have not played enough competitive matches, and that they are struggling to find goals from anywhere. The recent draw against the lowest ranked team in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, highlighted the problems which they have, although they were missing some of their top players.

The FIFA World Cup hosts had the better of the early exchanges of the match in Germany, while Korea DPR could have easily won the match with some better finishing on their chances. Although just a friendly, the match showed how much both teams will likely struggle when it comes to the main tournament in South Africa which starts on June 11th. Bofana Bofana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira insisted after the match that there were enough positives to take from the friendly encounter however, citing the North Koreans as difficult opponents. Any match at this stage is good for building momentum, as the home nation looks to impress in front of their home crowd. World Cup betting on South Africa however will tell a stark tale, in that they will likely struggle to pick up a point at the tournament.

The warm ups do not stop there for South Africa, as they were due to take on China in another friendly, as they prepare for the tournament in their German camp. But with travel plans disrupted across Europe because of the fallout from the Icelandic volcano, China withdrew, but Jamaica promptly stepped in to fill the void. The nation is doing all it can to get prepared, as two more friendlies will follow for them ahead of the World Cup, against Colombia and Denmark, which will not be easy matches for them. World Cup winning coach Parreira has been unhappy about the level of opposition for their friendly matches, as the South African FA left things very late in organising matches in their build up, where other countries had enacted a bit more forward planning. In the history of the World Cup, the host nation has never failed to make it to the second round. That record is in jeopardy now, with South Africa being rank outsiders at the Best World Cup Bookmakers to even make it out of Group A, where France, Mexico and Uruguay reside.

Manager: Carlos Alberto Perreira
Captain: Aaron Mokoena
FIFA World Ranking: 90
World Cup Appearances: 2
Bets World Cup: Round 1

South Africa Article

South Africa Team Profile

South Africa were granted their first ever World Cup when FIFA gave the continent the go-ahead to host the greatest footballing tournament on earth. The eyes of the world will be on South Africa and with great responsibility comes added pressure. Danny Jordan is the man employed to organise the world cup and ensure it’s ready on time to deliver a unique sporting spectacle. This will be South Africa‘s first ever taste of World Cup football as the hosts and they will want to leave their mark and ensure the travelling fans leave the continent with happy memories, regardless of how well their country does.

Despite problems with the construction side of things, Bafana Bafana’s biggest concern is the quality of the South African team. Many neutrals have already tipped South Africa to be the worst ever host nation in regards to how well the host country actually does in it’s own world cup. It’s up to the South African fans to create an atmosphere to remember but that will be extremely hard if their side doesn’t make inroads in the tournament itself. Manager Carlos Alberto Parreira is confident he will have a side capable of competing once the finals kick-off but we aren’t convinced.

Nickname: Bafana Bafana (The Boys)

Manager

South Africa, after only recently sacking Joel Santana after some disastrous displays from the national team, have one again seeked inspiration and, to put it bluntly, help from a Brazilian, as Carlos Alberto Perreira was chosen as the man to guide South Africa to a respectable finish on home soil.

There is no doubting the experience of the man having spent no less than 43 years in the managerial business. At 67 years of age, Perreira has certainly been around the block and then lapped it once more, as the variety of clubs he’s managed is quite remarkable, ranging from managing the Kuwait national team all the way up to leading his own country, Brazil. In a managerial career which consists of a mixture of both clubs and national teams, Perreira has spent roughly 26 years managing international sides, of which he has enjoyed three stints as Brazil manager, so perhaps he can install some Samba magic into the South Africa team.

We can honestly say, we doubt they’ll be a manager at South Africa with as much experience at all levels of international than Carlos Alberto Perreira, so the appointment looks a fantastic capture for South Africa, who definitely need some inspiring.

South Africa Key Players

Aaron Mokoena

The South African captain will need to step up for the finals and act as a true leader. With 90 caps, Mokoena is South Africa’s most capped player and with some of the squad still fairly young, his experience will be key in guiding South Africa along the right path. South Africa are often a side that can loose concentration when they go a goal down so the omen will be on Mokoena to restore faith in the ranks and enhance player morale.

Matthew Booth

If South Africa are to have a successful World Cup as host nation, they will need their favourite player to perform. Matthew Booth is not only their rock at the back but he also inspires the home supporters. Whenever Booth touches the ball, you’ll hear a roar of ‘BOOTH’. The 32 year old will be hoping to repay the support of the fans with a few solid performances at the back and possibly assert his presence in the oppositions penalty area as well. Booth is 6ft 6incs tall and will be key from set pieces for South Africa despite his low goalscoring tally of 1 goal in 26 international appearances.

Benni McCarthy

The Blackburn forward has been a controversial character for South Africa. He’s often had to make a choice between club and country with club often prevailing. This left a bad taste in the South African fans but they may need to swallow their pride and accept their most prolific striker back with open arms. McCarthy did retire from international football back in 2002 but made a swift return in 2004 and Joel Santana will be hoping to acquire his services next summer. The South Africans lack an out-an-out forward and McCarthy will fill the void. 31 goals in 76 games makes Benni McCarthy South Africa’s highest ever goalscorer and they will need his goals in South Africa next year.

Strengths

Unfortunately, South Africa don’t have too many strengths. Their team lacks any real quality and they will rely solely on the support from the home fans to get them through some tough matches. The South African’s showed their support at the FIFA Confederations Cup, mainly with their ‘vuvuzelas’, which we must warn you in advance, are blooming annoying. However, the atmosphere created by the fans with their vuvuzelas helped inspire the players to a fourth place finish and the Bafana Bafana faithful will be out in full force in a bid to drive their team to at least the last sixteen stage of the tournament.

Weaknesses

South Africa not only lack a potential match winner within their ranks but they lack a team capable of reaching the heights the fans demand. Bypassing the groups is a must as far the South African’s are concerned and anything less will be seen as a major disappointment. However, the home fans may be in for torrid time as we expect South Africa to struggle on home soil despite the support of the nation behind them. Their defence is vulnerable, their attack is blunt while their only glimmer of hope may rest in midfield. Teko Modise looked lively in the Confederations cup while Steven Pienaar looks a bright spark in the centre of the park. With the exception of the midfield, South Africa appear doomed.

South Africa Qualification for the World Cup:

South Africa qualified virtue of being the host nation. Their preparations have been good after surpassing all expectations in the FIFA Confederations Cup when reaching the Semi-Finals, before losing 1-0 to Brazil.

South Africa Qualifying Statistics:

This will be the very first World Cup held on South African soil.
The pressure is firmly on the South African players with many punters and even FIFA President Sepp Blatter concerned over the quality of the South African team.
This will be South Africa’s third World Cup after missing out on the 2006 finals but previously qualifying for both the 1998 & 2002 World Cups.

World Cup Potential:  2/5

The only thing favouring the South African’s is that they’re the host country. They will receive a tremendous reception in the opening game and will also sell out their games with ease as the Bafana Bafana faithful do their best to push South Africa to victory. However, without the support, South Africa wouldn’t have a hope in hell. If the players thrive on the atmosphere then they could surprise a few but that’s a big ‘IF’.

South Africa World Cup Betting Odds

South Africa to win the World Cup:         500/1 – bWin

Before the World Cup the odds on South Africa were 150/1 

Official South Africa World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers

Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs)

Shu-Aib Walters (Maritzburg United)

Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates)

Defenders

Matthew Booth (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Siboniso Gaxa (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Bongani Khumalo (Supersport United)

Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa, Israel)

Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth)

Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk)

Siyabonga Sangweni (Golden Arrows)

Lucas Thwala (Orlando Pirates)

Midfielders

Surprise Moriri (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Lance Davids (Ajax Cape Town)

Kagisho Dikgacoi (FC Fulham)

Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates)

Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs)

Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs)

Thanduyise Khuboni (Golden Arrows)

Steven Pienaar (Everton)

Macbeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan)

Strikers

Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Siyabonga Nomvete (Moroka Swallows)

Bernard Parker (FC Twente Enschede)

last update: 18 June 2010

World Cup 2010 South Africa Fixtures – Group A

World Cup Group A - Table

 World Cup Fixtures and Results

World Cup Group of South Africa