Bafana Bafana and Le Blues both only have an outside chance of qualifying for the next round of the 2010 World Cup as neither team has won a game yet, and both have the weight of their nations on their shoulders.
Coach Domenech Sent Nicolas Anelka Home
The French National Team erupted in turmoil and revolt after Coach Raymond Domenech sent striker Nicolas Anelka home. During this year's 2010 World Cup campaign, France drew with Uruguay and was defeated by Mexico.
On Sunday 20 June, players refused to train. Domenech now has to decide whether to keep Evra as his captain after he led Sunday's boycott of training. He also has to decide how to motivate a team, which had little confidence in him long before the trouble erupted, and has none whatsoever now.
The seeds of the French downfall were sewn at halftime during the loss to Mexico, when French striker Nicolas Anelka exploded with rage and launched a tirade at Domenech for questioning his performance.
Not the World Cup Winning Team of 1998
But it is not only the problems with the coach; France has big problems on the field. For many years now the public seems to resent this for not being the glorious World Cup Winning Team of 1998. This team has only scored one goal in the past five games in major tournaments.
With an uncertain line- up and players riding in their bus with the curtains drawn, France travels to Bloemfontein to try to rediscover its scoring touch without Anelka, and with the national team's record scorer Thierry Henry rusty after sitting on the bench.
Leave 2010 World Cup With Pride
South Africa started off its World Cup campaign well, with a draw against Mexico. Bafana Bafana’s 3-0 loss to Uruguay in next game made the prospect real that South Africa could very well be the first host nation not to get out of the group stages at a World Cup.
Bafana Bafana vs France
In the Bafana Bafana vs France match, South Africa will still be sore about the loss of their number one goalkeeper Ithumeleng Khune, who was sent off with a red card for tripping Uruguay forward Luis Suarez, giving away a penalty. (While Suarez was offside). But Orlando Pirates Stopper Moeneeb “Slimkat” Josephs, who is likely to do duty, is a very able replacement.
Bafana Bafana Changes
What most South African soccer fans want to see is that Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira makes some changes in the team and uses some of the excellent players who have been sitting on the bench.
Bafana Bafana captain Aaron Mokoena can come off and Matthew Booth with his height should get a run. It will certainly be a good defensive advantage, especially close to the goal.
Teko Modise must be taken out of the midfield and Steven Pienaar is too tired so he should only play one half. Fans would like to see Parker, MacBeth Sibaya and Siyabonga Nomvete out on the pitch. Hust an altogether more attacking approach, rather than one striker, Killer Mphela isolated upfront.
Blow your Vuvuzelas for Bafana
Former Bafana Bafana coach Jomo Sono has appealed to supporters to wave their flags and blow their vuvuzelas to support Bafana Bafana in this match in Bloemfontein.
He told soccerladuma, “we should go there with as many of our vuvuzelas as we can. Mainly on the side of Patrice Evra, who has complained about the noise, so that we can attack on his side. Even if it means one supporter blowing three vuvuzelas, if they can let them do that. We need to win this game by all means. We have to play as if our life depends on this game,” Sono said.
For those who are not in Bloemfontein or who don't have a vuvuzela, they can always download the vuvuzela for iPhone.
There are also a few other vuvuzela apps available on the web.
Bafana Bafana vs France kicks off at 4pm (local time) on June the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein (Mangaung)
Karen Lotter - Karen Lotter is a journalist and writer based in Durban, South Africa. She has written profiles, features, advertising copy, ...
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