On an Ear Plug and a Prayer

Bafana Bafana’s 2-1 win last night means they are now unbeaten in the ten games since the return of Carlos Alberto Parreira. Make no mistake. South Africa are good, and will be a formidable presence in Group A. They are far from the finished article, but there is a growing sense of belief about their game. One senses the players believe in themselves, television pundits are beginning to pump folk up suggesting even winning the World Cup is possible (I like that), and supporters I have been speaking to are now starting to believe too. Such optimism is contagious and will be at it most virulent for the opening fixture. I suspect Mexico will need more than just ear plugs and prayers when they take to the field in Johannesburg’s Soccer City.

Colombia came correct and deserved more from the game. But the home team had the rub of the green. An Ox was slaughtered on the pitch by a 70 year old warrior the day before the match. And the ref was blind. If the game had been more than a friendly, I suspect the Colombians may gone one up on local rituals and smoked the Kenyan referee. This was a game of three penalties. South African’s second penalty was given for a sweetly timed game saving interception, not a foul.


Still Bafana Bafana showed they can match a side of the calibre of Colombia. Other observations: Tshabalala will be a serious threat from outside the box. Do not be surprised if the lad unleashes the first ‘screamer’ of the tournament. I can now see why the locals love their Tshabalala. And they love their Steven Pienaar too, the girls in particular. Pienaar’s introduction as a 2nd Half substitute was Beatlesqusue. And a quick word on the goalkeepers. Bafana Bafana’s No. 3 the lad Josephs was voted Goalkeeper of the Year in the South African Premier League. He replaced the injured Khune at half time and produced a series of sound and spectacular saves. Scoring against South Africa will not be easy.