South Africa will want to give their fans something to cheer about, even
though they are set for an early World Cup exit, and can add to their 2010
points haul by bagging at least a draw against France.
South Africa were overpowered by an impressive Uruguay team last Wednesday to
all but end their chances of qualifying but now face a France side that have
bordered on the disgraceful in the last ten days or so and Bafana Bafana should
be capable of avoiding defeat.
These two sides can, of course, still qualify for the knockout stages but
with just a point each to their name their current situations are nothing better
than dire and it will require a miracle of biblical proportions if either are to
progress.
France further blotted their recent World Cup copybook with a tame effort in
defeat to Mexico last time out and that followed an opening goalless draw with
Uruguay.
No goals, no team spirit and no clue, France have shamed their great football
name at these finals with two woeful efforts and deserve nothing more than last
place in Group A.
To finish bottom of the pile, South Africa will need to inflict further
misery on Raymond Domenech and his players by securing all three points and,
while that may be slightly beyond them, I do expect them to put up some stern
resistance.
South Africa kicked-off the tournament with a brave 1-1 draw with Mexico and
we witnessed in Polokwane, when Javier Aguirre's men beat Les Bleus 2-0, that
the Central Americans are a force to be reckoned with.
The hosts came up short against a Diego Forlan-inspired Uruguay next time out
but the very first World Cup winners looked very tasty indeed and South Africa
weren't disgraced despite the 3-0 score line.
Regardless of the relative individual talent on display, nobody in their
right mind could back the French at the best priced Evens with
Betway and I very much like the look of the 5/6 with
Ladbrokes about South Africa-Draw in the Double Chance market.
South Africa's stay in their own World Cup looks set to end prematurely, no
host previously has failed to qualify for the second round, but they should
still be backed to provide those still keeping the faith with some profit and
I'll certainly be cheering them on.
This is the end of the road for the likes of William Gallas and Thierry Henry
on the biggest stage of all but their attitude at these finals has beggared
belief and it's now time for a new generation of French stars to emerge from the
shadows cast by those before them.
2pts back South Africa-Draw Double Chance (vs. France) @ 5/6 (Ladbrokes)
