June 18, 2010
By Musonda ‘’Ba Muzo’’ Chibulu,
The African World Cup as the 2010 showpiece has been dubbed has produced very little magic after the first round matches.
In some circles, it has been described as the worst World Cup in its 80 year history.
Many observers are pointing to the fact that the fewest number of goals have been scored since the inception of the tournament at this stage-25 goals in all so far with very little scintillating attacking play.
The big boys have flattered to deceive.
Here I give my take on how I have seen this world cup from the few I have witnessed.
Group A
The opening match between hosts South Africa and Mexico was never a spectacle athough it produced 2 goals. In the opening 20 minutes Bafana were a nervous wreak. Mexico showed some flashes of brilliance going forward with Giovanni Dos Santos impressing. But Tsiphiwe Tshabalala’s wonder goal is worth a mention. Apart from Maicon’s strike against North Korea, this was another goal of the round.
The South Africa match before an ecstatic 95 000 plus crowd at the magnificent calabash Soccer City produced the first major refereeing talking point after Dos Santos effort was ruled out for offside and rightly so.
When the ball was planted in his path, the Tottenham excess baggage was already in an offside position past Itumeleng Khune although Steven Pienaar remained stationary on the line not interfering with play.
France were limp in the draw with Uruguay who in spite of fielding Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez who had 80 goals between them in their various domestic campaigns were not potent enough against a largely pedestrian French team replete with stars but lacking real strength under the strange Raymond Domenech.
France captain Patrice Evra blamed the vuvezela for his side’s lethargic showing. Utter rubbish. The African horn did not bring the noise inside the French camp that saw a reported player mutiny over tactics and player selection by Domenech.
Am glad Sepp Blatter, the FIFA President has reiterated the vuvezela will stay at this World Cup.
At the time of writing Uruguay had taken destiny into their hands with a clinical 3-0 bashing of Bafana perhaps beginning the change in fortunes for the berated tournament.
Group B
Argentina with their mad cap coach Diego Amando Maradona played somewhat to my expectation with a much improved Nigeria under the highly rated Swede Lars Lagerback.
Linel Messi was certainly the player of this round. The world’s reigning best player did not score but that goes down to the brilliance of one Vincent Enyeama, the goalkeeper of the round.
Nigeria looked much better in the second half after going down to a Gabriel Heinze bullet header with Obafemi Martins on the pitch.
South Korea led by Manchester United’s Ji Sung Park surprised Greece with a 2-0 win. The Greeks started as slight favourites in this match but looked short on ideas and were out thought by the well organized Koreans.
Nigeria, one feels can bounce back while Argentina are almost certain qualifiers with their three pronged attack of Messi, Carlos Tevez and Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain with Champions League winner Gabriel Milito waiting in the wings looking ominously dangerous particularly if Maradona can keep his head.
Group C
This group produced enough evidence of the on going debate on the much derided Jabulani addidas ball being used at the tournament.
England produced a poor performance against a fortunate USA in a 1-1 draw. The Yankees were gifted an equalizer through ‘the mother of all howlers’ when the Three Lions goalkeeper Rob Green let in a largely innocuous looking Clint Dempsey shot.
That stupid Jabulani ball (STB) was England’s curse cried Fabio Capello who said ‘it was the worst ball he had ever seen’ and an unimpressive Wayne Rooney one of the suspects for the star of the showpiece, branded the Lafaborough University developed ball, a ‘goalkeeper’s nightmare.’
With altitude being a major talking point in this tournament, the turn and twists of the SJB become even more unpredictable as Algerian keeper Faouzi Chaouchi found out against Slovenia.
The ill disciplined Desert Foxes, who also saw red in lost 1-0 when Chaouchi opted to clasp thin air as the SJB eluded him only with a slight touch.
The Arabs may pack their bags early as they come up against the might of the misfiring English.
Both teams; victims of the injustice of the SJB one would feel.
Group D
Germany is the team of the first round matches. They mercilessily pounded Australia 4-0. Arguably the best match of the tournament so far. Tim Cahill saw red but there was no denying the likes of Lucas Podolski , Miroslav Klose, Philip Lahm and company showed they may not miss the injured Michael Ballack at all.
Their ever demanding coach Joachim Loew put a spin on things by saying his side can still improve. Phew! I hope they can certainly hit such levels again. That German side was such a joy to behold. They are the team of the round.
But the shine on the win was taken off a bit as the international media revealed that the Bundesliga last season used the SJB SIX MONTHS as its manufacturers have a contract with the Germany top flight to supply equipment that includes balls.
The German players themselves admitted they had no problems taming the SJB as they are used to it compared to other teams that like England.
New Zealand went to the extent of using NFL footballs in training to try and adjust to the nightmare Jabulani ball which by its name was supposed to bring joy but is the source of sorrow. Time for change of name perhaps? SJB it is for me for the rest of the tournament.
Ghana was the team of the Africa six pack contigent. Credit must go to Serbian coach Miroslav Rajevac for bringing a relatively inexperienced side bereft of the glorious abilities of a certain Michael Essien. In bringing down his own highly rated home country, Rajevac has proved himself a brilliant tactician and organizer!
Consider that stellar names such as captain Stephen Appiah and Inter Milan star Sulley Muntari started the game from the bench. In fact, Muntari never even entered the fray at all.
What a revelation Asamoah Gyan is turned out to be for the Black Stars up front. Apart from a composed finished from the penalty spot under huge, huge pressure, the burly France based forward had a shot canon off the upright and was the reason Serbia had a player sent off.
This tough group is still headed for more twists nothing is guaranteed for anyone yet.
Group E
As was expected Holland overcame Denmark with a freak own goal off the back of Dan Agger and a Dirk Kuyt close ranger tap in.
This game is a bit high in quality but not worth much headlines either considering that the Netherlands are rank outsider for the title in many people’s eyes.
The surprise of the round in team selecvtion goes to Cameroun’s Paul Le Guen who chose to play captain Sameul E’to from the right wing in the aging Lions defeat to a Honda Seisuke Japan inspired goal.
How on earth he left Alexander Song and other top players on the bench for this game will remain a mystery just like the result.
Cameroun looked uninspired and in such a close group will have to do more than roar from a distance to progress.
Group F
The defending champions Italy looked too defensive for nothing in the opening game. Perhaps with Andrea Pirlo struggling for fitness, Italy could be justified in their lack of creativity. Marcelo Lippi’s Azzurri needs to do more going forward if they are to progress beyond the group stages. It would be a shock if they didn’t anyway.
But the stuff legend is made of reveals Italy was champion in1982 in spite of drawing all its 3 group games.
But Paraguay on their part was negative. Such tactics have been responsible in part for the tournament in failing to light up with goals so far.
The Paraguay even omitted Manchester City’s 18 million pounds star striker Roque Santa Cruz meaning they did not come to this tournament to provide a Christmas of open attacking play.
Not many expected much from minnows New Zealand but at the death they rescued a point against Slovakia. A game many people would not have watched anyway.
Group G
Brazil many people’s favourites for the title, struggled against an average but doggedly defensive North Korea side in their 2-1 win.
Granted North Korea had parked the proverbial bus with five defenders and three defenders but what was Dunga doing deploying two defensive midfielders. Kaka looked a pale shadow of himself. It was left to Robinho and to some extent Elano to conjure solo cabarets and serve a reminder of what Brazil are capable of in terms of entertainment but very little on this night’s performance.
The night belonged to Maicon with a goal with a bit of touch of fortune helped by the swerve of the SJB and poor keeper positioning. I still consider the Inter Milan impressive right back’s strike, goal of the round and contender for goal of the tournament so far.
That this Korea DPR side is the lowest ranked nation on the FIFA ranking system of the 32 at this World Cup and Brazil the second best team on earth laboured to subdue them was a big disappointment.
Portugal and the Ivory Coast played out to a cagey goaless draw in the so called group of death.
I must mention though that I was highly impressed by the Elephants’ discipline in this match. Had Didier Drogba put away that chance that fell to him when he came on as a second half substitute many people would have emulated him in making the cross sign he made when Ronaldo’s rasping shot hit Barry’s post in the first half.
Gerovinho was a marvel to watch and rightly man of the match but that was that really. Sven Goran Erickson called for a conference to review the Jabulani ball which went unheeded by FIFA while his Portugal number believed the Ivory Coast set out deliberately to play dirt and frustrate the world’s most expensive player in history, Ronaldo and his likes in the Portugal team if at all there are any.
Group G
Oh la la! What a shocker! Spain, pre -tournament favourites. Bookies, pundits, themselves, me, everybody else thought Spain were the ‘it’. But alas, Switzerland provided the reality check regardless of the reigning European Champions enjoying a lion’s share of possession in the match.
Former Manchester City midfielder Gelson Fernandez put to shame the galaxy of stars from Real Madrid and Barcelona on show led by Iker Casillas, Carlos Puyol, Andreas Iniesta, Xabi Alonso, David Villa and a certain subsistute from Liverpool, Fernnado Torres.
Spain had excellent fore play but lacked little penetrative ability in the final third which could have unlocked the tight Swiss last line bereft of their injured star defender Philipe Sanderos early on.
Perhaps, Spain may rue that Xabi bomb that rattled the cross bar but with such talent as they have honestly a defensive midfielder should not the source of one moment of real danger for them
The Swiss coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, got his tactics right and I consider him manager of the round.
Against an impressive Chile who dominated Honduras but could only win 1-0, the Spaniards have to lift their game or risk an early flight to Madrid.
Who would have imagined such swift change in fortunes for a team coming into this tournament with an incredible 12 match unbeaten streak and some style as reigning European champions?
The vuvuzelas has blared like a drone of bees, the stadiums are in pristine condition apart from the harsh weather that has presided over Cape Town and Johannesburg leaving some turfs slippery with the SJB skidding quickly on the surface making close control rather difficult, I still do not know whether this is the most boring world cup of all time. Goals admittedly have been rare in comparison to any other tournament in history at this stage.
But the incidents have been like any other in spite of the rather efficient and cagey opening matches.
In any case, this argument is being made in certain quarters only on first round matches. That is too early to make a reasonable call. In my view, the ingredients of making a good world cup are already there.
Second round then. Uruguay with their Manchester United reject scoring a wonder goal against South Africa in the first second group match demonstrated that the best is yet to come.
Argentina has come good with a Higuain master show, in their 4-1 triumph today against hapless South Korea who becomes the first side to exit the tournament.
Seems some people always have to find something negative about Africa, heh?
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36 Comments on "Blog:The African World Cup the most boring in history so far?"
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Anonymous on Fri, 18th Jun 2010 1:18 AM
Ghana will reach the quarter finals and maybe ….maybe Ivory Coast
Seen from afar on Fri, 18th Jun 2010 2:25 AM
Nice one Ba Muso, good conversation starter. When all the teams remember there is that beautiful trophy to win the tournament will shape up quick style and we’ll see some proper matches but also some more boring tactics. Where to start, i certainly feel this is the most hyped World Cup there has been, it is significant that it’s the first in Africa and very refreshing in that respect. Many were anticipating an African team doing even better but it’s just not going to happen this time. Even with all the internationally known African players now we won’t see anything special i don’t think. I think the European leagues and the Champions League have taken allot of energy from the worlds best players as they are all geared towards that now. I am disappointed at the lack of hustle from the African teams and players. Yes this is a celebration for Africa but these players still need to show that desire and hunger to do well, it’s like African teams don’t have anything to prove any more. I enjoyed watching SA even when they were demolished just because they fought, I hope Algeria will put on a fight and show spirit against England even if they have to go out. Anyway, come the next qualifiers there will be new African dark horses and then there will be us, It’s all about the qualifiers – staying strong throughout and staying consistent, I hope we position ourselves well… Another thing about this tournament is the ball, each time they make the ball lighter, fly better, move better etc etc, this makes me laugh as it’s just a ploy to sell footballs by Adidas, i suggest Adidas just start using Volleyballs and call it quits because that is all they seem to be aiming for. You try and do a delicate cross pass and it flies off players feet. Just make a good ball, stop changing the ball FIFA, It’s annoying, It’s like saying we can’t make a good ball so well keep changing it. Anyway, slow start, there will good things and bad things, Germany 2006 was boring, South Korea/Japan 2002 was ok, slow start but we’ll see.
Uncle Bobs on Fri, 18th Jun 2010 5:38 AM
Ba Muzo Africam teams mapulanga save for Ghana for now and may be Coteg For me i may look crazy but i still favour Spain to win the World Cup.
Positive thinking... aka Awe on Fri, 18th Jun 2010 5:51 AM
Muzo very good assessment my brother. I think theplaying field has become somewhat level in World football and so tactical with the ever increasing European influence on the world game. We’ll see how it goes, but right now I am crying for SA and Naijah
Jimmy on Fri, 18th Jun 2010 7:59 AM
Nice Ba Muzo, I however look at it as the reason for less goals is because of streneous leagues through out Europe. Like I mentiioned in the begining, I managed to go and have a one on one with the Chile national team and I would say be ware of the, they have an almost all beow 24 years of age team- geniune ages to mention. I think that we should also consider the fact that there is no underdogs in soccer any more.
Prediction: South American final.
Brave Rangers for Life on Fri, 18th Jun 2010 8:31 AM
Good analysis Ba Muzo but teams which have an asernal of stars such as Spain and France are falling becoz they are lacking cordination. France yesterday was so disappointing against Mexico. Mexico have been playing together as a team for months while these other teams which are star studded might have been together for long but i think they have issues within their camps. How does Domenech not use Henry, anyway i do not France have the guts to fire him as he has been around for long. Nigeria’s coach is on his way out, you could see it even from the stands fans calling on him to change ineffective players, they will loose last game, no succesion plan after departure of JJ Okocha. Ivory Coast are solid in defence if only they can be effective upfront, coach must have his own reasons for not playing young Song but lets hope they improve in coming game. Ghana for sure are our only hope, they are young are determined. Joney (SA) is sure out i do not think they will out perform Uruguay with the in form and blistering Diego Forlan. I think in the end it will be a German and Argentina final.
Brave Rangers for Life on Fri, 18th Jun 2010 10:40 AM
Sorry guys SA will play France in last game and not Uruguay as stated in my last statement. SA have a better chance against this lackluster French team and they can win but depends on how many goals they will score. An exciting game will be between Mexico and Uruguay, i would bet for Mexico to win it.
tm jics on Fri, 18th Jun 2010 11:43 AM
mexico and uruguay for sure will go for a draw. Some teams were cheated by preparation games. To be realistic NO african team will reach the quarter finals or even the last 16 because of over excitement. And for a final spot i think Argentina, italy, Brazil and spain.
Spaks on Fri, 18th Jun 2010 12:46 PM
In loving memory of Bafana Bafana –
born 11th June 2010,
died 16th June 2010
to be buried on 22nd June 2010 in Bloemfontein
She leaves behind 49 million depressed children.
Kokoliko n Kachepa on Fri, 18th Jun 2010 1:05 PM
Ba Muso dont be jealous of South Africa, they have done more than what Zambia will do in the next 50 years. Whilst we Zambians have been busy with kalijo other countries have been developing leaving us behind with vilage manners. Stop listening to ba ngwele who are negative about Africa’s world cup. lets support our friends and be truly African, we can hate them but this World cup is for Africa’s image and Ba Muso you sinking and stinking low supporting negative calls for this wolrd cup.
chamz on Fri, 18th Jun 2010 1:10 PM
Nigeria is just over rated and qualified by luck. Remember how they struggled to beat Zambia
Sibs on Fri, 18th Jun 2010 1:13 PM
Nice article Ba Muzo. Some people were not happy of the World Cup coming to Africa from the first day Blatter announced that Africa would host the 2010 W.C. A lot have eaten a humble pie after they landed in S.A and saw how beautiful the country is. Some bazungu will always have a problem with Blacks doing well. Now that the games have started and things are going well the have come up with some story of goals. Ba mambala!!
I have been to 2 games so far the organisation has been superb. One thing is that the average attendance is more than Germany World Cup but we won’t here much of that and the other positives. We won’t be moved by those who predicted doom and are waiting for Africa to fail. Viva Africa Viva!
Spaks on Fri, 18th Jun 2010 1:19 PM
They thought we couldnt pull it off, we as in Africa, and we have shocked them, exceptwe forgot that its about football and if we are not careful all our teams might leave in the first round now that would be ironic, anyways we are still proud to be african at the end of the day
Sibs on Fri, 18th Jun 2010 1:26 PM
@Kokoliko please read the whole article by Muzo and you will see that he’s supporting Africa. Don’t be quick to attack other people bwana before you understand where they coming from.
@Tim Jics Uruguay and Mexicos won’t be playing for a draw because both would want to top the group and avoid Argentina who are definitely coming top of their group. Both these teams would want to play either S.Korea, Nigeria or Greece. It would sucide especially for Mexicos play for a draw and walk into Messi path. A draw will be good for Uruguay but not the ‘Amigos’ .
bambino on Fri, 18th Jun 2010 1:33 PM
Iwe Kokoliko! Did you take time to carefully read Ba Muzo’s analysis or you have a problem understanding English? Or is it that it was too long for you? I suggest you read before you comment. Uletusebanya!!!
Asilikale on Fri, 18th Jun 2010 4:53 PM
Ahahahahaha bamuzo n ths is the most boring blog av ever read,its jst too long to read,bt u gat points there.
For sure its the most boring worldcup,those days it use to excluciate jst missing one game no watchng,bt ryt nw with this zesco power failure,i dnt feel a thng.
Gametime12 on Fri, 18th Jun 2010 8:49 PM
People that are complaining about goals don’t know the beauty about this game, less goals means tough matches. I don’t think there’s an under dog in this tournament, every team plays well just that some teams are under performing. Besides this is only the group stage, most of the teams were playing it safe in the first games.
Asilikale on Sat, 19th Jun 2010 8:44 AM
Gametime12 bingo,long gone are the games we used to play coz of names n goals evry country is able,tht one mudala, u got it ryt again,u deserve a vuvuzela woman like, ahahahahah @gametime12
Justice Kafusha on Sat, 19th Jun 2010 1:57 PM
Good one Muzo. The draw between England and Algeria last night has made their group open to such an extent that even Algeria has a chance to progress to the next round. Ghana and Ivory Coast have the best chances, while Cameroon still has a chance should they beat Denmark today. South Africa who has organized a very good world cup and our Nigerian friends will need miracles. Anyway let us wait and see as it things get more exciting as the tournament progresses
Cheers
Justice Kafusha on Sat, 19th Jun 2010 1:59 PM
Ba Zanaco Brave Rangers will beat you today
Gametime12 on Sat, 19th Jun 2010 8:03 PM
Hahahaha@Ailikakale ati Vuvuzela woman like that’s a good one hahahaha that one must be hard to find
MWELWA PHIRI on Sat, 19th Jun 2010 8:20 PM
Ba Muzo 2b honest with u 4 me dis has bin da most exactin’ world cup ever so far…mind u i’m 23 years old.
MWELWA PHIRI on Sat, 19th Jun 2010 8:21 PM
Ba Muzo 2b honest with u 4 me dis has bin da most exactin’ world cup ever so far…mind u i’m 22 years old.
Wayaya on Sun, 20th Jun 2010 9:52 PM
I am disapointed! Why shud brazil enslave the whole african teams? The ivorians are a high rated team. Only need to defend and.
do a bit more and will start beating brazil
i do not like the way the third goal was conceeded.
Big Steve from SA on Mon, 21st Jun 2010 8:59 AM
If we ponder on what the foreign media say we will then never get anywere because with regards to the ord cup all they do is focus on the negaive and never ever bring out the positives. This has been an exiting worldcup and the atmosphere in the stadia is electrifying. The number of goals scored does not determine the success of the tournament. We have to open our eyes as Africans and see that there are people out in the rest of the world who will never see any good in anything we do. Instead of listening to their garbage lets just focus on making a success of ourselves. FIFA is making far much more money in SA than Germany what about stressing on that positive for a second.
Seen from afar on Mon, 21st Jun 2010 1:53 PM
England have problems, huge problems that are deeply set in their psyche. So much so that now they are under pressure they can’t even deal with the reality of what is happening to them. It’s no wonder they never do well at World Cups, they had to host the cup to win it and even that was almost 40 years ago. They are going to get rude awakening if they don’t shape up in time, worse than under Sven.
If i learnt anything, it’s that at international level money doesn’t buy you a thing, for the teams that don’t have it it’s important, for that the teams that do it doesn’t count for anything. You can buy the best manager but you can’t buy Messi and players that act as team and know how to play internationals…
I’ve got a prediction for you guys, see if i’m right! Italy are currently under pressure with only two draws and everyone has already written them off. But actually they are going to do well again. They won it 4 years ago, but they’ve had to make whole sale changes with only about 4 WC winners still in the team, and have been written off. Despite the bad press i’ve seen good signs from them, they will be playing Argentina or Brazil in Quarter finals.
Justice Kafusha on Mon, 21st Jun 2010 3:14 PM
I expected more from African teams but from what I have seen so far, I should say we are heading for disaster. The chances of all our resps going out in the group stage are 80 to 90 %. There is no African team that is comfortable as at now. Ghana will need to beat or draw Vs Germany, Algeria will need to win their last game and hope England draw or loose theirs, Nigeria, Cameroon and SA are out and Ivory Coast have to hope Brazil beats Portugal and they Ivory Coast beat SA by a big margin, right now Portugal lead 5-0. On paper all African teams are out, unless a miracle happens which is not likely
Justice Kafusha on Mon, 21st Jun 2010 3:15 PM
Ivory Coast beats Korea by at least 7 or 8 Zero, which is not likely
Justice Kafusha on Mon, 21st Jun 2010 3:16 PM
6-0 to Portugal
Justice Kafusha on Mon, 21st Jun 2010 3:17 PM
7-0
Gametime12 on Mon, 21st Jun 2010 3:27 PM
7 – 0 sure didn’t you find that game to be boring ba Justice? I don’t see how goals should make the match interesting, Portugal is out of Korea’s league. Its like watching mike Tyson beat on a feather weight boxer.
Seen from afar on Mon, 21st Jun 2010 4:11 PM
Why IC never took Bruno Metsu over Sven i will never know… I knew for sure they wouldn’t do well when they announced Sven, you need a manager that is going to push you and sven just stands there. IC could have been in another group and they still wouldn’t qualify. Just saw some highlights from Portugal v N.Korea, N.Korea played right into the hands of Portugal second half by defending high up field in order to attack it seems. Portugal had a field day. Germany Ghana will be a good game, I think Ghana will be alright, they know how to impose themselves which is great although they can squander the ball allot. At least they are not letting the continent down. It’s sad to see African sides being put down especially when we thought African football was making progress – they have run into other problems. Algeria are not at their best, they should have beaten England, maybe they are saving themselves to surprise the US. That will be a good game!
Justice Kafusha on Tue, 22nd Jun 2010 11:28 AM
Gametime12 the interesting thing about the Portugal Vs Korea game was that the result will now decide who follows Brazil from this group. Portugal have an upperhand over IC even if they loose to Brazil IC will have to score more than 8/9 goals. I am watching almost every game. Africas hope is now Ghana and Algeria with Nigeria having a slim chance. SA will need a miracle
Sibs on Tue, 22nd Jun 2010 11:04 PM
Gentlemen you right all the African teams are in problems. It will take a miracle for Ghana to beat the Germans. The Germans are more dangerous when their backs are against the wall. The only team with a bit of an advantage is Ghana, i repeat a bit. Our teams lack discipline.
We will see if that Ghana defence can hold the Germans. It will be sad if all the African teams go out 1st round.
Seen from afar on Wed, 23rd Jun 2010 1:21 AM
Yes Sibs, i think that’s right, Ghana have something but Germans need the win. Ghana need to hold their nerve and they will get chances, i don’t think Germany are unbeatable. An interesting point about the Germans is that Klose and Podolski only scored 3 goals for their clubs, but the German coach obviously has kept faith. Maybe if Ghana shut out that Ozel guy they will shut them down.
CHITI CHITUNDU on Wed, 23rd Jun 2010 10:54 AM
africans need to change the mentality in many things