Forlan vows to find the net against Bafana Bafana.

Uruguay striker Diego Forlan was disappointed not to have scored against France in a 0-0 draw at Cape Town Stadium on Friday night.The Atlético Madrid ace saw his chances limited, but looked sharp in front of goal.With South Africa and Mexico also drawing their first match in the earlier game, it leaves Group A wide open.

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Uruguay tackle Bafana in their next match, with victory crucial for both sides.Forlan admitted his team-mates will now regroup ahead of that tie.He told Football365.co.za: "We have finish this game and now we have to rest and train and then see how we are going to be for the next match."He then added to the media: "Four teams are in the same position now so we have to see what is going to happen in the second game."When asked how he felt about drawing with the former world champions, Forlan admitted that while his side "had the better chances", "it was a good result for each other" but "nobody deserved to win".

Forlan also revealed that while he was happy with his overall performance, he would have preferred to have found the target. A snapshot late in the game was probably his best chance, but he was unable to direct the ball goalwards."I knew it was off target the first moment I shot, I knew it was out. I had the chances and I would have been more happy if they were in."The former Manchester United frontman said he had watched bits of South Africa's draw with Mexico and while he admitted, "it was a tough game", he isn't fazed about facing the hosts.

"Yeah we saw the game and it was a tough game."It's the way we were drawn and we have to play against them, we don't have to think about it."

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Tshabalala super strike fails earn South Africa opening win.

Diminutive midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala sent the whole of South Africa in to raptures with the opening goal of the World Cup in Johannesburg but it was not enough to hold off Mexico at the final whistle.

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His wonderful strike in the 55th minute of an entertaining opening match put Bafana Bafana ahead with a goal that looked likely to give them an emotional victory - a win which could ignite not only their own campaign but the whole World Cup.

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Mokoena grabs 100th cap as South Africa thrash Guatemala

Captain Aaron Mokoena became the first South African to win 100 caps when the World Cup hosts beat Guatemala 5-0 in a friendly at Peter Mokaba Stadium.

The Portsmouth defender wore a shirt with the number 100 emblazoned on the back as his side scored five goals in a single game for the first time in more than 250 internationals since returning to world football 18 years ago.

For a second successive match South Africa were awarded two generous penalties to help them on their way to victory in Polokwane.

The first came in the 11th minute and as a surprise to both teams.

Television replays showed a long-range shot from Siphiwe Tshabalala hit the shoulder of Guatemala defender Gustavo Cabrera but he was outside his penalty area.

Katlego Mphela converted to hand the home team the lead, doubled 15 minutes later by a strong volley from Reneilwe Letsholonyane after a persistent run by leftback Lucas Thwala provided a cross into the penalty area.

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Following a strong run down the left wing, Mphela delivered a square ball for substitute Surprise Moriri to tap-in in the 48th minute after coming on as one of three halftime changes.

A handball by Cabrera earned South Africa another penalty in the 56th minute which Mphela again tucked away.

Five minutes earlier, Guatemala had also been awarded a spot kick for an innocuous-looking handball but Guillermo Ramirez's effort was saved by Moeneeb Josephs.

Bernard Parker got the fifth with eight minutes remaining.

The win stretched the team's unbeaten run to 11 matches since the return of Carlos Alberto Parreira as coach last November.

South Africa introduces "World Cup" visa

The South African government has announced the introduction of a special visa specially for visitors attending the World Cup.

South Africa will issue the first ever Event Visa for an international event in support of the 2010 Fifa World CupTM, Minister of Home Affairs, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, announced on Tuesday in Johannesburg.

The issuing of such a visa is in keeping up with the guarantee that the Department of Home Affairs made to Fifa when the 2010 Fifa World Cup was awarded to South Africa in 1994. The Visa will make South Africa the first country to ever issue such a Visa for an international event.

The Event Visa will be issued free of charge to visitors to South Africa in 2010.

According to the department, the Event Visa has been finalised and will be tested by eligible visitors coming to South Africa for the Fifa Confederations Cup in 2009. The Visa will enable visitors for both events to enter South Africa conveniently at various ports of entries.

Minister Mapisa-Nqakula said the department was aware of the central role it has to play to make a meaningful success of the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa and use the event to revolutionalise the migration regime in the country.

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“The Event Visa is one of the department’s exciting new immigration initiatives in support of the 2010 Fifa World Cup. As the department we are also aware of the central role we have to play to make 2010 a success for our country. When visitors come to South Africa, their first contact will be our officials, which is why we have to keep our promises,” she said.

She said the 2010 Fifa World Cup preparations had been intertwined with the department’s overall migration strategy to ensure that all the systems being put in place for the event become a legacy beyond 2010.

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South Africa rally to draw with Paraguay

South Africa put in a credible performance in Asunción as they held Paraguay to a 1-1 draw and had coach hailing the Bafana Bafana as "Lion Kings"

Carlos Alberto Parreira has called Bafana Bafana the “Lion Kings” after they came back to earn a credible 1-1 draw with Paraguay in Asuncion on Wednesday.South Africa were awful in the opening half hour or so, and deservedly went behind to a Marcelo Estigarribia header.

Bafana, however, were much improved after the break, as both coaches rang the changes, and Siphiwe Tshabalala thrashed home a wonderful left-footed drive to level the scores.“Paraguay were much better in the first half, we didn’t control the game as we would like,” said Parreira afterwards.

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“In the second half we created more opportunities than them - we made good counter attacks and I believe the result is fair for what Paraguay have done in the first half, and for what we have done in the second half.”Lion Kings“We are the Lion Kings, we never give up. We were the better team in the second half and could have won.” Bafana captain Teko Modise, meanwhile, concurred with Parreira.

“Paraguay were the better team in the first half, and made things difficult for us,” said Modise.“They started pressurising us and we couldn’t play. In the second half we became better and started having confidence. If we can show character like this away from home, imagine what we can do at home,” added the midfielder, in a clear reference to the 2010 World Cup.

Bafana will return to Sao Paulo on Thursday, and will play Brazilian club side Santos on Saturday in the final game of their month-long tour of South America. Bafana have also now decided to leave Brazil on Sunday, returning to Johannesburg on Monday, two days earlier than expected.On April 9, Parreira will then announce a squad for his next training camp in Germany, from April 13-28.

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Pienaar says England are over hyped.

South African midfielder Steven Pienaar has written down the chances of England winning the World Cup in his home country.

The 28 year-old has made almost 50 appearances for South Africa and believes that other teams will feel that they can get a result against England over the summer.

Pienaar said, “They have got the players and they’ve got a manager (Capello) who’s finally got them to play as a team.

“I’m not a fan of the England team. I think teams can get a result against England.

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“They have a reason to feel confident, definitely, because in the past there were egos in their team but they play as a team now, no more about individuals.

“But we have to wait and see if they can live up to the challenge. We have to do it on the field and not in the newspapers."

England will open their World Cup campaign against the USA, followed by games against Slovenia and Algeria.  Piennar, who will face Mexico, Uruguay and France in Group C believes that Argentina and Spain are the two favourites for the tournament.

The Everton star continued, “I have always said Argentina. Spain is also in the mix and you can never rule out Italy and Germany. Italy know how to win tournaments and the Germans have a good team, so they also have a chance to win it.”

Pienaar will likely go into the tournament having enjoyed a successful season. He has scored 6 goals in 28 games for Everton so far.

Three months to go and Ghana vs Germany sold out.

It looks like World Cup fever has hit the good people of Ghana and Germany hard as tickets for their World Cup match in June are already sold out.

Tickets for Ghana's final group D match against Germany at the 2010 FIFA World Cup have sold out.

An advice from FIFA to the Ghana Football Association says there were no more tickets for the Black Stars' match on June 23 in Johannesburg's Soccer City.

The Soccer City has a capacity of 88,460 and will host the opening game between hosts, South Africa and Mexico on June 11 and the final match.

With key matches sold out, Ghana is now left with a limited number of tickets for the other two games between Serbia and Australia.

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Only category one tickets are available for the Black Stars' first two games - against Serbia and Australia.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Football Association has set a deadline, Friday, 19th March, 2010 for payment by all ticket applicants who were successful during the first phase of the 2010 World Cup Tickets sales.

According to the FA, failure to pay within the deadline would result in the applicant’s allocation expunged from the records.

Fans have until April 7 to bid for the second sales phase for tickets at the tournament, which runs from June 11-July 11.

Danny Jordaan says Angola ambush has no effect on WC 2010

World Cup boss Danny Jordaan allays security concerns

World Cup boss Danny Jordaan says South Africa's hosting of the tournament will not be affected by the attack on Togo's team bus at the Africa Cup of Nations. Togo withdrew from the Cup of Nations after the gun attack in Angola, which is said to have killed three people.

But Jordaan said there was no reason for the incident in Angola to have any impact on the World Cup in June. "It's nothing to do with it and I think everybody understands it has nothing to do with South Africa," he said.

"When there was a bomb in London no-one said we should not have 2012 in London so we cannot have double standards."

There are many tickets still to be sold for the World Cup matches, which begin on 11 June, and there was concern that the horrific attack might persuade fans not to travel to the tournament.

"I don't think the world has ever asked one country to take responsibility for what happens in another country," Jordaan added.

"Every country's responsibility is to safeguard the event in their country so South Africa is nothing to do with the deployment of the forces in Angola."

Jordaan insisted he struggled to understand the apprehension regarding safety at the World Cup following the attack.

"Fortunately the majority of the world is not influenced by warped understanding of the African continent," he said.

"If there is a war in Kosovo and a World Cup in Germany, no-one asks if the World Cup can go on in Germany, everyone understands the war in Kosovo is a war in Kosovo.

"The world must be balanced and must not apply different standards when it comes to the African continent.

"Our World Cup is secure and we are confident because we have employed a lot of resources to safeguard the event in our country."

World Cup Draw Reaction : Mexico

Mexico's coach Javier Aguirre is quietly confident that his Mexican team will qualify from their World Cup 2010 group A despite the presence of hosts South Africa and formers winners France and Uruguay.

Speaking after the draw Aguirre said "South Africa will be under considerable pressure as host nation, but they will also benefit from immense local support and familiarity with their surroundings. I’m not going to label this group either difficult or manageable – I’m going to call it unique, without one clear favourite."

"We are due to face three opponents that all possess their own distinct style. We’re going to have to study them closely, to get to know them and to select appropriate opposition in our upcoming friendly matches to accustom ourselves to similar styles of play. Even if our pool does indeed contain two previous World Cup winners, I happen to believe that from the moment my players walk out on to the pitch, history is no longer a factor."

Reacting to facing South Africa in the opening match of the tournament Aguirre said "For me and our young players it's very important. The first game is always very important, We play the hosts for three points in the opening game of the World Cup. We have to be in the best shape that's possible."

World Cup Draw Reaction : France

French coach Raymond Domenech has welcomed the draw that pits his French side against the hosts South Africa, Uruguay and Mexico.

Speaking after the draw Domenech said "The first thing that’s clear when you look at the make-up of the eight groups – and ours in particular – is that it’s not going to be easy for anyone. We are truly delighted and honoured to be playing against an African team at the first World Cup to be held in the continent, but even more so against the host nation."

"We’re all aware that they will have the unwavering support of the whole country behind them, and that will be something we will have to deal with. We can also look forward to facing two teams from Latin America, and we know that they will be challenging opponents. One advantage for us is that they play a style that we are familiar with – very skillful, and capable of lulling teams into a false sense of security."

"We must be careful not to fall into that trap. We’ve played against both these teams in the not-too-distant past, so we know what to expect. We can now start calmly preparing for the summer, with one positive outcome already assured – we won’t be playing any of our group matches at altitude, which was something I really wanted to avoid."

World Cup Draw Reaction : Uruguay

Uruguay coach Washington Tabarez insists their Group is the true group of death. The Uruguayans are in Group A, alongside hosts South Africa, Mexico and France.

Speaking after Fridays draw held in Cape Town the Uruguayan coach insisted "In each World Cup it is said that there is a death group - well, we are in that group. South Africa are the hosts, Mexico and France are very difficult teams. We didn't have any choice, this is what the draw gave to Uruguay and we will have to face it."

"We will have to work very hard and analyse carefully each team and what we will do in each match. Of course, besides that our group must be the most difficult one I am optimistic, I trust in the quality and the character of the Uruguayan players. If I didn't trust in my players I would stay at home."

"In fact, my opinion is that if we start the competition in a difficult group and we get a positive result in it, then maybe what comes later is not so difficult. So I am optimistic regarding what Uruguay has to do in the World Cup."

World Cup Draw Reaction : South Africa

Bafana Bafana Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira remains confident that his charges will reach the knockout stages of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, despite being placed along the best teams in the world.

The outspoken Brazilian told reporters on Saturday, a day after the tournament's Final Draw that South Africans must not be scared by France, Mexico, Uruguay, adding that it all lies on commitment and proper planning.

Bafana Bafana has been drawn in the Group A of the World Cup with France, which consists of world acclaimed players, South American giants Uruguay and Mexico - many South Africans are afraid that the national team might be eliminated in the first round of the tournament.

"We are placed with best in the world but that doesn't scare us. I don't believe in words but in action. Nobody can climb Mount Everest with words.

"We need commitment, planning and strategy to climb the mountain. We will make it only if we are mentally and physically prepared," said Parreira.

Several international and local journalists have been criticising the national team for its under-par performance displayed in recent games.

This has created an impression that it would be the first time for a host nation to be eliminated in the first round of the World Cup.

Meanwhile, the national team coach openly expressed that most of Bafana Bafana players were not mentally and physically fit which was the main reasons for the team's poor performance.

"Those who want to be in Bafana Bafana must be prepared mentally and physically. With the six weeks in Brazil and Germany we will be working hard on players' mental and physical fitness.

"With the mental preparations and the commitment of players we can make it. I'm committing myself and this draw has boosted my spirit, and I'm motivated now as before," the coach said.

Bafana Bafana will play their first game and also the opening match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup against Mexico in Soccer City, Johannesburg on 11 June - a game that will determine whether the national team will proceed to the next round.

However, Parreira maintained that there was no need to worry about Mexico, adding that he knows their game style. He said all he needed was for the players to rebuild the spirit they showed in the FIFA Confederations Cup in June.

"All our opponents in the group use a similar method of game, they like playing the ball on the ground. I know the Mexicans they run a lot, they are physical and play a very interesting game.

"But we don't have to worry about them but worry about ourselves. We have to go out there and fight like worriers," said Parreira, who won the World Cup in 1994 with Brazil.

Meanwhile, South African Football Association Vice-President, Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana said they were confident that Bafana Bafana will not disappoint their fans.

"Although we are placed with the best teams in the world we are confident that our national team will make it to the next round of the next year's tournament."

Bafana Bafana will play its second match against Uruguay in Pretoria's Loftus Versfeld Stadium on 16 June; perhaps the spirit of Soweto Uprising will play a part. The national team will play its last group match against France on 22 June 2010 in Mangaung/Bloemfontein. - BuaNews

Clubs to recieve $1600 per day for each World Cup player

This World Cup is set to make the largest payout to participating teams in World Cup history.

The winners of next year’s World Cup final in South Africa will collect $30 million in prize money, FIFA said on Thursday after their Executive Committee meeting in the historic setting of Robben Island.

The runners up will receive $24 million. All participating teams will receive an extra $1 million (about R7.4 million) to cover their preparation costs.

FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said that the total prize money available to the 32 finalists would be $420 million, a 61% increase on the pot for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

As well as the prize money available Valcke said that FIFA would provide $40 million for clubs whose players take part in the tournament.

“Every club who has a player at the World Cup will receive $1600 per day, per player,” Valcke said.

“The money will be paid 15 days before the start of the tournament and to one day after the players’ participation in the World Cup ends.”

The money will be paid to the clubs through their national associations and as part of that package, clubs have agreed not to pursue any claims or any possible compensation through civil courts but only go through FIFA or CAS, the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Somali rapper to perform the Official World Cup song

The Official song for the World Cup 2010 in South Africa has been named and it is ‘Wavin’ Flag’ by K’naan. K'naan, born Keinan Abdi Warsame, is a Somali-Canadian poet, rapper and musician.

Born and raised in Mogadishu, Somalia but now lives in Toronto, Canada.

"Wavin' Flag" was initially released as single by K'naan in March 2009, but has now been remixed and re-released as the official anthem of the 2010 World Cup.

The Song



The Lyrics

When I get older, I will be stronger
They’ll call me freedom, just like a Waving Flag

When I get older, I will be stronger
They’ll call me freedom, just like a Waving Flag
And then it goes back, and then it goes back
And then it goes back

Born to a throne, stronger than Rome
But Violent prone, poor people zone
But it’s my home, all I have known
Where I got grown, streets we would roam
But out of the darkness, I came the farthest
Among the hardest survival
Learn from these streets, it can be bleak
Except no defeat, surrender retreat

So we struggling, fighting to eat and
We wondering when we’ll be free
So we patiently wait, for that fateful day
It’s not far away, so for now we say

When I get older, I will be stronger
They’ll call me freedom, just like a Waving Flag
And then it goes back, and then it goes back
And then it goes back

So many wars, settling scores
Bringing us promises, leaving us poor
I heard them say, love is the way
Love is the answer, that’s what they say,
But look how they treat us, make us believers
We fight their battles, then they deceive us
Try to control us, they couldn’t hold us
Cause we just move forward like Buffalo Soldiers

But we struggling, fighting to eat
And we wondering, when we’ll be free
So we patiently wait, for that faithful day
It’s not far away, but for now we say

When I get older, I will be stronger
They’ll call me freedom, just like a Waving Flag
And then it goes back, and then it goes back
And then it goes back

When I get older, I will be stronger
They’ll call me freedom, just like a Waving Flag
And then it goes back, and then it goes back
And then it goes back

(Ohhhh Ohhhh Ohhhhh Ohhhh)
And everybody will be singing it
(Ohhhh Ohhhh Ohhhhh Ohhhh)
And you and I will be singing it
(Ohhhh Ohhhh Ohhhhh Ohhhh)

And we all will be singing it
Ohhh Ohh Ohh Ohh)

When I get older, I will be stronger
They’ll call me freedom, just like a Waving Flag
And then it goes back, and then it goes back
And then it goes back

When I get older, I will be stronger
They’ll call me freedom, just like a Waving Flag
And then it goes back, and then it goes back
And then it goes back

When I get older, when I get older
I will be stronger, just like a Waving Flag
Just like a Waving Flag, just like a Waving flag
Flag, flag, Just like a Waving Flag.