What a World Cup!

Thanks to all of you for your comments made in my first blog. Of course when I wrote my first blog I was still preparing for the opening ceremony, and boy what an occasion that was. I was at Soccer City with SuperSport television and really enjoyed the experience.

I didn’t realise but not too many host nations play in the opening match. We always assume that the host nation plays the opening match, but that has not happened in a long while as it has mostly been the defending champions.

So there was double pressure on South Africa as hosts in the opening match. Firstly, they were not one of the favourites and secondly they had to play the opening match, with all the euphoria behind it, and I think the pressure really got to them in the first half. But in the second half they actually played better, but unfortunately they didn’t hold on to win.

Overall the opening ceremony was a great experience for everyone. Lots of fans, lots of passion and it has always been a feature of the World Cup.

I always have fun at every World Cup that I go to because of the togetherness that the fans share. You look at the Argentinians and Brazilians in Sandton Square are enjoying themselves. You never see that anywhere else. If they play each other in a friendly match or any other competition they fight but in a World Cup they are always friendly and mixing together.

I previously said Spain and Brazil are my favourites to win this World Cup and I still maintain that. You look at Brazil, they didn’t struggle but they only beat North Korea 2-1; Spain lost but so far yes Argentina has been the most impressive team. They have played great sparkling attacking football and if anybody defends deep against them, they go through. Defensively I still think you can still get through Argentina and that’s why I wouldn’t tip them to win this World Cup. But Brazil, they are strong at the back and strong in midfield. Spain still play good football and they will get through from the group.

What you shouldn’t do is change your mind based on the opening round of matches as the first games of a World Cup are always tense affairs, so I still maintain my original prediction that Brazil will win this World Cup.

I watched Nigeria against Greece and was disappointed that once again an African team lost. The goalkeeper did well overall but made a mistake that resulted in a goal. We have a lot of goalkeepers who can make great saves when it goes to the top corner but when it comes straight at them, they let it in and that’s what you shouldn’t do. You have to get the basics right.

In terms of surprises, North Korea against Brazil, South Korea against Greece, Japan against Cameroon but if you look at the qualities that those teams have, the spirit, the togetherness and the determination, their results should be much of a surprise.

I think in terms of the African teams they have to embrace the organisation. I think they have been caught up in the excitement and the euphoria. Because it’s the first World Cup in Africa, the fans get excited but the players shouldn’t. They have to play with calmness and composure.

It seems African teams have been thinking about the quarterfinals and semifinals and getting carried away rather than concentrating on how they are going to play and if they do that I am sure we will see some improvements.

Finally, just to thank all the football supporters and South Africans in particular for the encouraging comments in my previous blog. Some people have come to me in the streets to acknowledge the work we do on SuperSport television and we appreciate that and if I see you in Sandton Square and you want to come for an autograph or a picture, you are more than welcome.