With the 2010 FIFA World Cup less than 4 months away, its time to breakdown the 32 teams that will be participating in The Great Tournament. First up is the host nation, South Africa.


Official Name: South African Football Association

Nickname: Bafana Bafana

FIFA Confederation: CAF (Africa)

FIFA Code: RSA

How They Qualified: Host Nation

World Cup Appearances (Incuding 2010): 3rd

Best WC Finish: Korea/Japan 2002, 1 Win - eliminated Group Stage

World Cup Record (MP: Wins - Draws - Losses): 6: 1W - 2D - 3L

Head Coach: Carlos Alberto Parreira

Most Capped Player (# of caps): Aaron Mokoena (99)

All-Time Goal Scoring Leader (# of goals): Benni McCarthy (35)

Brief Footballing History:
South Africa wass one of the founding members of the Confederation of African Football in 1956. However due to the racist & segregated political policies of apartheid, South Africa was formally expelled from the CAF in 1958 and suspended from FIFA in 1961 and expelled in 1976. With the fall of apartheid, South Africa was readmitted to the CAF & FIFA in 1991.

5 years later, Bafana Bafana won its biggest title to date, when it lifted the '96 African Cup of Nations trophy on home soil. 2 years later, the South Africans qualified for their 1st World Cup. Their first WC campaign ended with two tough draws against Denmark & Saudi Arabia and a loss to host nation and champion France in 1998.

Player To Watch:
The two most well known South African players are Benni McCarthy and Steven Pienaar both of whom play in England's Premier League. However, it is a player in South Africa's Premier Soccer League that could be the key to South Africa's fortunes in the World Cup.


Teko Modise is a left-sided attacking winger for South African PSL side, Orlando Pirates. Modise is the 2-time defending PSL Footballer of the Year and has been quietly linked with European clubs like AC & Inter Milan, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Birmingham City. The 27-year old Soweto native will have to be on top form to boost a South African attack that has been shutout in 4 of their last 5 friendly matches.

Outlook:
In any other year South Africa would be a lock to be knocked out of the group stage especially with a group consisting of Mexico, Uruguay, and France. However, the home nation advantage is a massive equalizer. Most football pundits see South Africa as the 1st host nation in tournament history to be eliminated at the group stage but it would not be a shock if they advance.

Despite their footballing reputations Mexico, Uruguay, and France are not strong as evidenced by their shaky qualifying campaigns. With a previous WC winning coach like Parreira in charge the Bafana Bafana can pull off a surprise or two.

Final 23-Man WC Roster:
Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates), Shu-Aib Walters (Maritzburg United)

Defenders: Siboniso Gaxa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Matthew Booth (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lucas Thwala (Orlando Pirates), Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth), Bongani Khumalo (Supersport United), Siyabonga Sangweni (Golden Arrows), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa), Anele Ngcongca (K.R.C. Genk).

Midfielders: Steven Pienaar (Everton FC), Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Thanduyise Khuboni (Golden Arrows), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Fulham), Macbeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan), Surprise Moriri (Mamelodi Sundowns).

Forwards: Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bernard Parker (FC Twente), Siyabonga Nomvete (Moroka Swallows).

WC Group Schedule:
June 11 vs. Mexico (Opening Match)
June 16 vs. Uruguay
June 22 vs. France

The next team preview of Group A sides is Mexico.