On air: Does the success of the World Cup depend on the South African team?
Post categories: World Cup 2010, World Cup Have Your Say
| 06:26 UK time, Friday, 11 June 2010
"I pity the Mexicans on 11 March - truly I do."
Those were the words of South Africa defender Matthew Booth when I interviewed him last month ahead of the World Cup finals. His feeling was that the pressure on the country ahead of the first such tournament on African soil would be positive - and that the ferocious sound of the crowd would spur Bafana Bafana on.
But with the first match now upon us, do they really have a chance against the Mexicans? And if not, will it damage the chances of the tournament's success?
Certainly if you listened to the first World Cup Have Your Say show from Soweto last night you would have got the impression that it will be no contest - and surely, if the competition was about the energy of the fans alone, Bafana Bafana would be nailed on certainties.
But around the world, every fan is excited. Everyone is optimistic. After all, a ball has not been kicked yet - and no-one has lost.
And Bafana Bafana, most pundits agree, are not a great side right now. There are real fears that they could be the first host nation to go out of the tournament at the group stage.
Should they lose today - still needing to face France and Uruguay - will the spark go out of the tournament?
Comment number 1.
At 10:41 11th Jun 2010, Myra_B wrote:No it's not the only team in the tournament. I really hope when the competition gets underway, there will be platforms to discuss what will be more relevant i.e. the football and less about the host, maybe only in the context of football. I want to hear about the games, the players, stats... If this was say in France it would be more about football, which is what World Cup is all about, and less about the host.
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Comment number 2.
At 11:45 11th Jun 2010, Christopher_Swen wrote:It’s no big secret that we’re all a bit worried about World Cup 2010 in South Africa right now. And though those concerns are very much legitimate, I think it’s time someone offered a few rays of light to counterbalance all the World Cup 2010 doom and gloom. I am very sure that the world cup will remain in South Africa I say this because nothing comes to Africa and go let that. We the Africans are prepared for this world cup.
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Comment number 3.
At 12:31 11th Jun 2010, Guido wrote:The same question was raised two years ago before the European Championship started in Austria (and Switzerland). Unsurprisingly Austria was out after the group stage. Nevertheless football was the main topic for the rest of the tournament.
It is great to have all this fantastic players in the country. Just enjoy it.
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Comment number 4.
At 12:40 11th Jun 2010, STIG wrote:NO it does not depend on it at all. South Africa excels at most sports but not football. It is the weakest of the african nations participating and should by right finish bottom of the group. However, Korea and Japan both upset the odds when they hosted the tournament surprising most of us. That said, South Africa will not do that nor should they. We can only hope that the tournament will be well-organised and scandal and trouble-free and that is far more important to Africa as a whole.
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Comment number 5.
At 13:45 11th Jun 2010, ricoandy wrote:What doom and gloom, Yes we could do with the hosts spicing it up a bit and getting past the group stages but ALL fans are in South Africa to enjoy the football the atmosphere the local culture and the people who go to games to support the underdog. They Know they will not win the world cup but at least your in it to win it.
SOAK UP THE DAY THEN ANOTHER DAY AND THE NEXT ETC. Come on England!!!!
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Comment number 6.
At 22:05 28th Jun 2010, wales1947 wrote:New balls at every world cup what a joke just a money spinner for the sponsor, If your going to introduce them at least 12 months ahead so we can get used to them.In regards to African teams winning the world not this time But it will happen and unfortunately probably before England
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