Can South Africa win the World Cup?
South Africa is the first ever African nation to host the FIFA World Cup.
That’s probably why they are one of the sentimental favorites to win the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
As hosts, they qualified automatically marking their 3rd appearance overall after making it to France in 1998 and then again in 2002 after being banned from entering qualification from 1966 until 1994.
Despite the automatic qualification, South Africa played World Cup qualifiers mainly because World Cup qualifiers also serve as qualifying for the African Nations Cup.
Unfortunately, South Africa was eliminated from the qualifying. They are, in some way, playing in a World Cup even though they lost in the qualifying stage.
South Africa also played in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. They played well, advancing from the group stage before being eliminated by the No.1 ranked team, Spain, in overtime, 3-2.
South Africa plays Mexico, Uruguay, and France. All three will be tough matches. France is ranked in the top 10, while Mexico and Uruguay are in the top 20. South Africa is ranked 88th.
It has been a turbulent few years for South Africa, but a creditable performance at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, the prelude to this summer, has set expectations high going into their Group A matches.
Their semi-final loss to Brazil followed by a succeeding single-goal, extra-time defeat by Spain in the third-place match, show that the hosts can compete at the highest level.
And though they have fallen at the group stage in their two FIFA World Cup appearances, they have lost just two of their six finals matches.
Which country will win the 2010 FIFA World Cup? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.
Spain 5.50
Brazil 6.00
England 7.00
USA 41.00
Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more 2010 FIFA World Cup betting odds. Want to watch soccer live? Get sporting events tickets online now.
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