02 July 2010


The World Cup schedule gave a well deserved rest of two days to fans, players and organisers between the end of the round of 16 and the commencement of the quarter finals of this tournament. The eight teams that have progressed through to the quarter finals are the Netherlands, Brazil, Uruguay, Ghana, Argentina, Germany, Paraguay and Spain. The round of 16 saw Portugal, USA AND England amongst some of the teams that made an exit. The South American teams are still well represented with four of their participating teams remaining.

The Netherlands played and defeated Brazil in Port Elizabeth, in the process delivering another surprise turn to the tournament. The Port Elizabeth pitch seems to be deteriorating more and more. The Dutch needled the Brazilian players. The latter were unable to control their tempers on the field. One Brazilian player was sent off after receiving a red card.

The night game at Soccer City was between Ghana and Uruguay. Uruguay had progressed through this tournament as the surprise package thus far. Their star player, Diego Forlan who seemed to be smiling endlessly, had already caught the attention of many observers. His [performance in the group stage match against hosts South Africa stands out as an individual performance amongst the players.

This World Cup has thus far not produced a player that shall be remembered in the years to come as a genius. No player mould of Ronaldo, Maradonna or Pele has as yet emerged. As I indicated in one of my earlier blogs, this World Cup is more likely to be remembered for the pleasure it brought to the fans that followed the games both in and out of the stadiums.

Africa had one representative left amongst the teams remaining. Ghana. Ghana took on Uruguay at Soccer City tonight for a match that shall be bitterly remembered by the African continent when the 2010 tournament is recalled. The Uruguay player Suares used his hand blatantly to save a goal that was inevitable. He handed off the ball on the goal line in the dying stages of the match in extra time forcing the teams into a penalty shootout. Suares did not make matters better by claiming that his actions were the real act of God when compared with the Maradonna event many World Cups ago. The African nation was enraged.

But frankly, Ghana did not take its opportunities when they arose. They were the better team on the field. The penalty that resulted from Suares’ handball was narrowly missed. The Ghanaians then entrusted one of their youngest players to take a penalty in the shootout. Ghana lost. With it Africa’s dreams of excelling on the playing field during this tournament evaporated.

Africa and South Africa had another hangover to awake to tomorrow morning.

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