South Africa-France Preview
Today’s the day South Africa plays its final game in the World Cup. The host nation started off strong and with high hopes as they drew with Mexico 1-all in their opening match, but suffered a devastating 3-0 loss against Uruguay last Wednesday. South Africa will become the first host nation to be eliminated before the knockout round. “It will be a disaster for us, the home country, to go out in the first round” commented midfielder Steven Pienaar.
In breaking news it has been discovered that France captain Patrice Evra will not be joining his team in today’s match. The BBC reported that news agency AFP announced Evra has been dropped, rather than refusing to play, something Coach Raymond Domenech feared was “a possibility” after his players staged a protest Sunday.
France is on the World Cup chopping block alongside South Africa; both teams have gotten only one point in two matches. France has not been playing to their full potential and their disappointing match results and “listless offence” has drawn a lot of negative press, particularly from France.
It has been hard to focus on Frances’ performance on the pitch when their dramatics off the field have drawn more press than any other team at the World Cup. France, the 1998 World Cup champions and 2006 World cup finalists, are playing as a united front after a briefly staging a protest over the French Football Federation’s decision to send home Striker Nicolas Anelka in which they refused to practice. Still it is questionable if the team can overcome their issues and pull together for one last chance of advancing.
After Anelka was sent home Saturday night the rest of his team lead by Evra refused to train Sunday morning in a dramatic scene which left Domenech alone to explain to the media why his team was not practising for their very important upcoming match. The team’s shenanigans on Sunday cost them fitness instructor Robert Duverne, who resigned after storming off the pitch after harsh words were exchanged between him and Evra.
“It’s a scandal for the French, for the young people here. It’s a scandal for the federation and the French team” said director of the FFF Jean-Louis Valentin, who will be leaving the federation following the World Cup. “It’s unacceptable. As for me, it’s over. I’m leaving the federation. I’m sickened and disgusted”.
Valentin is not the only one jumping ship after this year’s tournament; Domenech will also step down and Laurent Blank will step up to coach the national team in the next World Cup. France has had a controversial stay at this year’s tournament. From Thierry Henry’s blatant hand ball during the final seconds of their final cup qualifying match against Ireland which got the team their ticket to South Africa, to rumours of disharmony amongst the French camp and mutiny for their coach France has not ceased to be in the spotlight.
South African Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira doesn’t believe France’s off field fiascos will not affect their on-field playing, the coach said "When the French players go on the pitch they know it is important to win ... and what happens off it will not affect France's performance. Once the game starts, France will do everything in its power to win this last group-stage match. France's problems should not be considered by us as a positive aspect. Not in any way."
South Africa will be playing without goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, who received a red card 76 minutes into the match against Uruguay for tripping forward Louis Suarez. The penalty coast them any chance of tying up the lead, as Diego Forlan’s penalty kick gave Uruguay another point, making it 2-0. Moneeb Josephs will start in place of Khune.
In addition, Bafana Bafana is also going out without midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi, who received yellow cards for the first two matches, and will be replaced by Surprise Moriri.
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