First game of the 2010 World Cup:Mexico-South Africa Preview

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Hosting the World Cup already has South Africa feeling proud, but translating those emotions into results on the field might be a problem.

Considered one of the worst teams to host the tournament, South Africa will try to avoid becoming the first home team to lose an opener when it faces Mexico in Johannesburg on Friday.

FIFA was determined to bring the World Cup to Africa for the first time, and South Africa was awarded the event with six years to prepare.

“We knew from that moment that South Africa would never be the same,” President Jacob Zuma said. “It is clear that millions of our people have waited for years and look upon this tournament with hope, pride and a sense of belonging.

“Bringing the World Cup to South Africa is to trust South Africa, to trust Africa and to say, ‘You are strong and you can do it.'”

Doubts over the country’s ability to put on the World Cup have waned heading into the opener, but now the questions are about the team. South Africa is ranked 83rd by FIFA – the lowest for any host.

Host nations have never lost an opener and have reached at least the second round of each World Cup, with six winning it. Over the last three tournaments, the hosts have gone 10-0-2 in the group stage.

Reaching the second round would be a first for South Africa, which didn’t qualify in 2006 after going 1-2-3 in the two previous World Cups.

The task of advancing at home is even tougher with Group A also consisting of former winners France and Uruguay. Bafana Bafana has won one of eight meetings with its group rivals – a 2-1 victory over Mexico in 2005.

“The mission of our boys is to make this country proud,” said coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, who guided Brazil to the 1994 World Cup title. “And the goal, the goal is to go as far as we can in the World Cup. That’s it.

“Once the ball moves, anything can happen. Everyone knows our group is a tough one. But we are ready.”

Katlego Mphela might be Bafana Bafana’s best hope for creating goals. The forward has 15 goals in 31 games for South Africa with the last 11 coming on home soil, including two in a 3-2 loss to Spain in last summer’s Confederations Cup.

Mexico’s lineup is unsettled with coach Javier Aguirre deciding if veteran Guillermo Franco or rising star Javier Hernandez will start at forward. Goalkeepers Guillermo Ochoa and Oscar Perez are also waiting to find out who will start.

“These are decisions for the coach,” Ochoa said. “One never knows who is going to play. You don’t know until the lineups come out that day.”

Hernandez scored three goals in Mexico’s last three friendlies, while Franco has been hampered by a foot injury.

Mexico, ranked 17th, was eliminated in the round of 16 in the last four World Cups.

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Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Nigeria World Cup 2010 Team Profile unveiled

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Nigeria can boast something only a half-dozen other teams in the world can right now: they’ll be playing the World Cup on their home continent come June.

Beyond that, they can’t boast much because they don’t know much. The uninspiring performance at the African Cup of Nations saw Shaibu Amodu relieved of his duties atop the Nigerian coaching pyramid and Lars Lagerback rewarded for not taking Sweden to the World Cup with an all expense paid trip to that same World Cup. So they’re in a bit of transition right before summer festival.

So maybe a shake-up will be good; or maybe a shake-up will be just that – a shake-up.

Nickname: Super Eagles

Group: B; Argentina, Greece, South Korea

Coach: Lars Lagerback. Fresh off their lackluster showing at the African Cup of Nations, they “reassigned” Shaibu Amodu in February, naming Lars Lagerback in his place for the summer. Lars is also coming fresh off a disappointing set – failing to get Sweden, his post for the last ten years, to South Africa. This means his first official game of the stint will be against Argentina. Joy.

Key Players: The big names are concentrated towards the front, with a blend of speed, strength and size providing a bounty of physical gifts. Yakubu is nicknamed Yak because his shoulders dwarf most of the bovines (no other reason, swear); Obafemi Martins has pace and skills for days on end, ditto (to a lesser degree) for Victor Obinna; Chinedu Obasi provides something of a tall, speedy, skillful wild card; and beanpole captain Nwakwo Kanu is still going strong at 87…oh, only 33. (Seriously – he’s been around forever.)

There’s little to go on in midfield with the new gaffer in town, but most will know Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel (or Mikel John Obi, or…however you prefer) and Ayilla Yussuf is no small talent currently catching his checks in Kiev.

In the back Joseph Yobo is the central leader, with Chidi Odiah, an attacking fullback, on the right and Taye Taiwo, a tank with implanted cannon for a left leg, on the left.

In net will be the quietly impressive Vincent Enyeama, who doesn’t get the pub of some other quality keepers simply because he plays in Israel. (And because he can’t get on most goalkeeper amusement rides – he’s 180cm.)

Player with best name: According to Wikipedia he only has one cap, but that cap accompanies what will be the best name by some distance at the World Cup if he makes it: Thankgod Amaefule. (Bit of a troublemaker for such a religious fellow, though.)

Player with best nickname: Certain people were obviously born for certain nicknames: Yakubu “The Yak” Aiyegbeni is somewhere up the top of the list.

Qualification: It wasn’t terribly easy, and it took a bit of help from Mozambqiue to just squeak into the tournament. Tunisia were ahead by two points heading into a last day, which meant Nigeria needed to get real lucky. They did: they beat Kenya 3-2 with an Obafemi goal nine minutes from time while Mozambique stunned Tunisia seven minutes from time for a 1-0 victory. Fashionably late, but still invited.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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World cup 2010 -Fans welcome England to South Africa

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World Cup 2010: Big welcome for England fans as thousands arrive in South Africa

Saint George led the English invasion of South Africa yesterday as World Cup excitement reached fever pitch ahead of tomorrow’s big kick-off.

Devoted fan Paul Farrell was dressed as the dragon-slayer when he arrived in the first batch of our expected 25,000-strong army of followers. Others turned up cloaked in St George’s flags as they soaked up the sun, the atmosphere and the beer.

Paul, 48, joined thousands of supporters from around the world to watch the South African team’s bus parade in Johannesburg – turning the streets into a sea of colour.

The pub landlord, of Skegness, Lincs, said: “I wore the outfit on the plane and as I walked to the immigration booth, people were cheering and laughing.

“I just want to have a great time and cheer the England boys to victory in their first game. Everyone here is so friendly.”

Paul, student son Luke, 20, and friend Peter Blackmore, 47, were among 2,000 fans who arrived yesterday ahead of England’s opening clash with the USA in Rustenburg on Saturday.

Paul Students Matthew Castle and Dan Thomas, both 21, wore the cross of St George.

Matthew, from Wakefield, West Yorks, said: “Seeing all these people and this buzz is awesome. It’s our first World Cup, a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Dan, from Guernsey, added: “I always believe England will win. You have to be optimistic.” Norwich baker Adrian Nunn, 46, said: “I’ve been looking forward to this for ages.” David Herman, from Chicago, arrived wearing a David Beckham shirt.

The 40-year-old, of the USA Manchester United supporters club, said: “All the world supports Brazil. But I’m supporting England.

Jeremy Armstrong; Martin Fricker contributed to this articles

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Kanu Nwankwo targets semi final spot

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Kanu is confident that Nigeria can take the World Cup by storm and progress to the semi-finals.

A strong run in the 1990s saw Nigeria reach the knockout stages of two successive tournaments, while they also won the Olympic gold medal in 1996.

Nigeria must negotiate a tricky group in South Africa containing highly-fancied Argentina, as well as Greece and South Korea.

But Kanu believes that not only can the Super Eagles make it through to the last 16, they can go much further and possible challenge for glory.

“Considering what we have done in ’94, ’96, ’98, everybody believes we are one of the big countries in Africa, so definitely we have to produce,” Kanu said.

“When we are not producing, that is when it is difficult. So the pressure comes.

“For me, I can say we are going to go up to the semi-finals, maybe even the final. We believe we can beat any team any time, but you’re going to have to play very well.”

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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World Cup 2010 South Africa

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My World Cup warm-up has been an interesting one: last Wednesday I was sitting on a stool with Rio Ferdinand in London talking to him about captaining England.

The event at Niketown ended with the crowd giving a rapturous send off to Ferdinand, Ashley Cole and Wayne Rooney – the other two popped in for the grand finale.

Rio spoke with real understanding about how Theo Walcott would be missing out on the World Cup and as he left (just after I had awkwardly spat some flapjack on his tracksuit) he said ‘see you in six weeks’.

Less than 48 hours later he – just like Walcott – was getting used to the idea of spending the summer watching his country rather than playing for them.

I am also carrying a knee injury – a grade-three tear of my medial collateral ligament. Thankfully it didn’t stop me boarding a plan for South Africa this week.

The highlights of the 10-hour flight were witnessing Garth Crooks spill an entire cup of tea on his ivory shorts and watching Denzel Washington’s antics in the post-apocalyptic movie The Book of Eli.

I spent quite a bit of the flight reading the BBC World Cup ‘bible’ – a staggering tome put together by a group of statistical legends.

It’s essential for all commentators, pundits, presenters and reporters but sadly not available to buy. Its near 500 pages will tell you everything from the goal tally of Uruguay’s Luis Suarez to the name of the Nigerian president! If you’re interested, it’s Goodluck Jonathan.

Talking of stats… I have given the one about Suarez scoring 49 goals for Ajax this season to both Alan Shearer and Lee Dixon. They are now involved in a battle to see who can use it first during our coverage of France v Uruguay on Friday so keep an eye on them.

When we touched down in South Africa we received the vuvuzela welcome. The hotel receptionist told me that the instrument was originally used to scare off baboons but was so loud it actually killed some of them!

It sounds a bit like the noise who would expect an elephant to make if you had it in a really tight headlock. They’ll be plenty from the squealing pachyderm throughout the summer because everyone in South Africa seems to have one.

I am only in Cape Town until the weekend because the BBC bus leaves early Saturday morning. I have now met all the bus brothers and I can’t wait to hop on and bring you some fascinating stories from all over South Africa.

My first job on arrival was to get Fifa accreditation. I think they are having a problem with their printers because my head looks a lot wider than normal. I’ll take it though because my cranium normally looks like a bit like a cashew nut in real life – thin at the front and getting wider as you approach the rear.

The accreditation centre is around the corner from the BBC Cape Town studio on top of the Somerset Hospital and the view of Table Mountain in the background is a bit special.

Just below the studio is the media centre where much of the hard work is done. I will give you a little look around later this week which also gives me some time to sort out the biscuit collection. Of all the beauties they could have gone for they’ve opted for lemon puffs! What a disappointment. I consider it my mission to service my colleagues with some fig rolls before the bus leaves Cape Town.

Despite the biscuit news, I can’t wait for the World Cup to start. There will be so many compelling stories to tell from a complicated but fascinating country. I shall try and keep you up to date through this blog and if there’s anything you’d particularly like to see then bung it down below.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Nigerian President Jonathan Goodluck Bids Eagles Goodluck

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World Cup-bound Green Eagles were May 20th given a presidential send off party at the Villa with a wish from the president, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

It was the president’s first official engagement with the country’s national football team and the coach, Lars Lagerback and Dr Jonathan did not spare any moment in ensuring he made the best out of the occasion.

After all the drinks and chattering, the President settled for business. In his ever joyous mien and countenance, President Jonathan told the party that the 2010 World Cup was a very serious engagement for the country. He urged the team and the technical officials to do well at the Mundial because a good outing in South Africa would not only boost the country’s image internationally but will also justify the huge investment government had put into the project.

“I wish you well. I wish you goodluck in South Africa. Be good ambassadors of our great country Nigeria and show the world that we are truly the giants of Africa,” President Goodluck Jonathan said.

The number one citizen said the South Africa 2010 World Cup, the first to be held on the African continent was not just like any in the past. “I want us to make a good impression because this is the first World Cup on the African continent. We must prove our relevance and tell the world that we are no longer the dark continent in world football.”

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Nigeria midfielder, Mikel Obi Drops Out of World Cup?

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Abuja — Fears heightened over the week end that Chelsea FC and Eagles’ midfielder, John Mikel Obi might not fully recover from injury before the final submission of names of 23 players to FIFA for next month’s 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Continue reading

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Countdown: Nigeria fight chaos – World Cup 2010

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We continue our World Cup countdown with Nigeria, whose new coach has been thrown in at the deep end. Continue reading

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Lions limp to victory in South African opener

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 (CGN) — The British and Irish Lions began their tour of South Africa with a whimper on Saturday, needing a late fightback to avoid an embarrassing defeat to the Royal XV at Rustenburg.

Continue reading

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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