Bafana bafana have the honor of hosting this year’s World Cup. They are a nation that has been mired in controversy with many of their sporting sides banned from international competition due to outrage over their infamous apartheid regime which involved racial discrimination. Their football team did not escape and were banned on several occasions, the most recent ban being lifted in 1992.
South Africa have qualified for the World Cup on two previous occasions, in 1998 and 2002. They managed a combined total of one win in that time, with both tournaments ending in groups stage exits. In 1998, they were given a baptism of fire as they surrendered 3-0 to the hosts France in the opening game. Draws with Denmark and Saudi Arabia meant that they had to go home early. The 2002 tournament was more encouraging as they drew with Paraguay before beating Slovenia for their first ever World Cup win. An agonising 3-2 defeat to Spain saw them finish level with Paraguay on points and goal difference but they exited in the group stage because Paraguay had scored more goals in their three matches.
Normally the host nation of a World Cup has a dull few years due to the fact that they don’t have to qualify. However, the Confederation of African Football’s rules meant that South Africa had to compete in their qualifiers to determine who would play in the 2010 African Cup of Nations. Things did not go according to plan as they finished 11 points behind group winners Nigeria and failed to qualify for their continental tournament. They fared much better in the Confederations Cup with they hosted last year. They lost to Spain but drew with Iraq and beat New Zealand to make the semi finals against Brazil. South Africa gave the Brazilians a hard match, eventually going down to a Dani Alves goal two minutes from time. They lost 3-2 after extra time to Spain in the playoff.
No host nation has ever failed to qualify for the knockout stages of the World Cup. The local fans have genuine fears that this could be the case and they have a difficult group to contend with which includes France, Uruguay and Mexico. Any two of these four sides can conceivably get through with France as clear favorites and Mexico also fancied to get through. Even Uruguay will have a say in the final outcome one suspects. With this in mind, the home fans will have to get right behind their them and push them into the second round and beyond. Their dismal African qualifiers were followed by a spirited Confederations Cup where they showed that they have enough talent to spring a surprise or two. Much will depend on West Ham United striker Benni McCarthy and Everton’s Steven Pienaar as well as the inconsistent but talented Bernard Parker who plays for newly crowned Dutch champions FC Twente. The further the host nations goes, the better the tournament is, so neutrals should hope that South Africa can upset the form book and make the second round.