South Africa

South Africa are our hosts for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the country is currently a buzzing hive of activity preparing for the thousands of football fans across the world who will descend on the country this June.

The Bafana Bafana have experienced highs and lows in the last few years with several disappointing performances following times of real promise from the Rainbow Nation.

Now, however, in their own country and after some fantastic performances in the 2009 Confederations Cup the South African players and fans believe they can do something special in 2010.

Star Player - Steven Pienaar

Everton’s classy playmaker will be hoping to star for the host nation in the 2010 World Cup and on top form he could help South Africa qualify from the group stages and give the World’s best a run for their money.

Pienaar’s exquisite skill on the ball and his ability to pick out an inch perfect pass mean he will be a key weapon for Carlos Alberto Parreira’s side.

In a group containing Mexico, France and Uruguay, Pienaar’s through balls against slower aging defences could unleash the fast strikers that South Africa possess through on goal and if these chances are converted South Africa might just surprise a few people.

Coach - Carlos Alberto Parreira

Parreira, the former World Cup winning manager with Brazil is back with South Africa after leaving the post in 2008 for personal reasons.

2010 will be his 6th World Cup as a manager having coached sides Kuwait, UAE and Saudi Arabia plus managing Brazil in 1994 when he coached them to victory and in 2006 where they were knocked out by France in the quarter finals.

Criticized for the style of football his Brazil side played in 2006 Parreira is back on the World stage and will want to prove he can coach a team to glory again.

One to Watch - Tsepo Masilela

Only just turned 24 and one of the youngest players in the South African squad, the Maccabi Haifa left back is already one of the first names on the team sheet for coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.

Masilela is maturing in Isreal and he is fast becoming a full back to fear and in June he will want to show what he can do after an impressive Confederations Cup.

With an eye for a marauding run down the flank, Masilela's strength is his ability to get forward and get the ball into the box for his strikers.

Odds to win - 80-1

GROUP STAGE FIXTURES