South Africa (National Football)

The word 'Ayoba' has murky origins but what is known is that it originated in South African townships, originally used to express appreciation of good dancing, something that runs deep in the veins of South Africans.  The best description I have seen uses the word 'awesomeness', even though that word cannot be found in any dictionary.

South Africa's hosting of the world's premier sporting event is about to come to an end and 'Ayoba' fits perfectly.  That was the last thing the world expected four years ago after Germany in 2006.  

South Africa's high crime rate was the main issue but other questions remained. Would the stadiums be ready? Would there be enough accommodation? Would the transport system be a disaster and the attendance numbers pitiful?

The barrage of negative publicity was relentless, especially in Europe and the U.S. It reached levels of absurdity. The German team were considering bulletproof vests for their players, and an English tabloid hysterically cataloged the list of some of the world's most dangerous snakes that were lurking around the English team's rural base, just waiting to short circuit their World Cup hopes. 

The snakes didn't have to bother—not that there was any real danger to begin with—as England managed to self destruct without any outside assistance. 

It reached a point where even optimistic South Africans began to doubt themselves. 

Estimates of foreign visitors were cut down from a high of about 450,000 down to 300,000, which would have been a disaster.  

All these fears have turned out to be totally misplaced.  Crime has been minimal, most of which has been dealt with speedily by an enhanced police presence and swift justice in special World Cup courts. 

The world class stadiums were all ready on time as was the transport system and accommodation has been readily available. 

Attendance will be over three million for only the third time in World Cup history, and the post final average attendance will be just under 50,000, exceeded by only two other tournaments.  The four largest stadiums which hosted almost half the games have approached full capacity.  Bear in mind that attendance at the games is determined by tickets used, not by tickets sold, as is the custom for American major league sports.  

Most important has been the welcome and support given teams and tourists alike by the South African people.  For them, hosting the World Cup is a miracle, or as the always effervescent Bishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize winner, described it, "a fairy tale come true."

A mere two decades ago, South Africans were still living under the throes of Apartheid. The racist system made political violence an everyday reality with no end in sight. 

That all changed in the early 1990's as Nelson Mandela walked to freedom after 27 years in prison. Mandela's freedom led a new 'Rainbow Nation' out of the darkness.

Today, South Africa stands at the threshold of being finally accepted. Not only as an example to the world on how to move resolve conflict, but as a nation with the wherewithal to successfully host the World Cup

South Africans of all colors united behind their beloved Bafana Bafana with even more fervor than they did in 1995 at the Rugby World Cup. Despite being eliminated in the group stage, their fans lost none of their fervor throwing support behind 'Baghana Baghana,' as they called the Ghanaian team in their quest to be the first African team to reach the semifinals. 

Even their tragic loss at the final hurdle as not deterred the nation. There is a renewed sense of pride, evident when Nelson Mandela became President. While many questioned the sanity of spending over $4 billion on the Cup, that sense of pride and the positive image from hosting the tournament is worth so much more. 

As the competition has progressed, more fans have flocked to South Africa. It's now expected that the number of visitors for the soccer will top 500,000, far more than previous estimates.

On Monday, South Africa will return to reality. It's country still plagued by crime, poverty, a dreadful AIDS epidemic, a lack of decent housing and an infrastructure that needs a lot more work.  

For millions of black South Africans, life has improved little from the rigors of Apartheid. But many others have prospered when previously all the doors of opportunity were completely shut. 

The foreign visitors will all be heading home with vuvuzelas packed in their luggage, and memories of a beautiful land and an expansive and gracious people. These visitors will no doubt spread the word about this bountiful land at the southern tip of Africa. 

As a former South African who spent the first 25 years of my life during Apartheid, where fear and anger ruled, I look on with pride and more than a little bit of Aboya. 

There is talk now of South Africa bidding to host the Olympics in 2020 or 2024.  After the World Cup, there is no reason to doubt their ability to host such a major event and this time the fear mongers will find no traction for their skepticism.

Today, we should be talking football. The World Cup final is on Sunday, a billion people will be watching Soccer City, and Holland or Spain will become the first new winners since France in 1998.

But suddenly, as this vibrant tournament draws to a close, I feel the need to talk "ubuntu."

There are a lot of translations of this curious African word. The closest I can get appeared in the South African newspaper, the Daily Dispatch, this week. It says ubuntu is “the acceptance of others as parts of the sum total of each of us.” Some might just call it mutual respect. Others see it as a kind of warm, all-embracing, African love story.

My dad, born in Portsmouth in 1933 but a resident of Pretoria since 1970, says ubuntu is “treating everyone like you’re all one big family.”

And that’s what we’ve had here, isn’t it? From the opening concert at Soweto’s Super Stadium to that moment the World Cup turns orange or red on Sunday night, there has been an outpouring of African affection.

Don’t confuse that with the massive support for Bafana Bafana early in this tournament. Or the outpouring of grief when fellow Africans Ghana were cruelly put out of the tournament at the quarterfinal stage. It may have something to do with the incredible lack of animosity between fans here, the lack of real problems in a nation still growing.

So, what is ubuntu?

Ubuntu is that feeling you get when you’re lost in South Africa expecting trouble from the group of lads up ahead...only to find gleaming smiles and offers of help.

Ubuntu is when you’re standing in a lengthy cue for the park-and-ride at Polokwane, and everybody wants to talk about Wayne Rooney rather than whine about the delay.

Ubuntu is when you’re in Sandton trying to pay for parking, and the dodgy-looking fellow in overalls comes over and uses his change to get you out.

Ubuntu is when you cower as a local comes rushing towards you in the dark outside Soccer City...and hugs you in sympathy because you’re representing the Three Lions.

Ubuntu is when dozens gather 'round to help you blow your vuvuzela properly, and at the right time.

Ubuntu occurred even before the big kick-off on June 11, when Pretoria’s Blue Bulls were forced to play their Super 15 rugby final in Soweto because Loftus Versfeld had been booked by FIFA. Ubuntu reigned supreme for a fortnight among folk who have barely heard the term.

And when Adrian van der Bijl, the prominent local businessman who owns Irene Lodge, the home of the USA in this tournament, left his mobile phone in a shebeen and thought it was lost, ubuntu ran through him when his wife’s cell rang. The shebeen workers had found his phone.

Ubuntu is Africa, despite a thousand years of pain.

American Shari Cohen, the international development worker who very publicly came out against this costly World Cup before it began, ended up admitting, “To say that I have been blown away at the hospitality South Africa has shown the rest of the world would be an understatement.”

And on the subject of ubuntu, she said, in an open letter published on the Huffington Post website: “South Africans are drinking deeply from the cup of humanity that has been brought to their doorstep. I would never imagine that an American World Cup or Olympics would ever be this welcoming to the rest of the world. And that saddens me for the state of my home country, but it also makes me feel the pride of the South African people.

“I will be leaving a little piece of myself here in South Africa. I just hope I have learned enough to bring back a little piece of ubuntu to my homeland...

“When I think of ubuntu and my recent experiences here, I think America has much to learn from Africa in general, in terms of living as a larger village; and as human beings who are all interconnected with each other, each of us having an effect on our brothers and sisters.”

A total of nearly 30 billion people have watched this World Cup. Did they feel ubuntu across the airwaves? What happened to all those predictions about crime and bloodbaths? Was that ubuntu at work?

Ultimately, though I love Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben and long for Robin van Persie to score, I don’t care that much about Holland winning. Given Paul the Octopus and his muscle-bound support for Spain, perhaps this whole World Cup was never really about who triumphs on the football field.

It matters not. There has been only one winner in Africa. Ubuntu.

South Africa's 2-1 win over France wasn't enough to get Bafana Bafana out of the first round of the World Cup, but hey, at least they now have a scalp of a former World Champion, after beating an inept Les Bleus to victory. 

However, soldiering on to Round Two was an impressive Uruguay and a never-say-die Mexico side, while in Group B, Argentina beat Greece 2-0 for a group-topping, perfect record. South Korea cried in midfield after securing an emotional 2-2 draw with Nigeria, who rounded out a bad day for the African continent by just missing out on qualification. Greece also went out, but no one's really going to miss them, are they?

1) South Africa (B)

Super performance, great fun going forwards, and playing to a soundtrack of vuvuzelas and manic home support, South Africa jumped to a 2-0 lead before squandering chance after chance to put France away and claim the second qualifying spot ahead for themselves. But there's a nucleus of a good side here—and here's to hoping for another World Cup visit from Bafana Bafana soon, eh?

2) Argentina (B+)

Messi wasn't on great form and the Argentines didn't exactly have their first team out against Greece, but the South Americans played some scintillating football. Speaking of Messi, he must be asking God—or Diego Himself (as he's known in Argentina)—why he hasn't scored yet. He was unlucky yet again today. Despite Maradona's thoughts that the team's defence was "solid", Greece were perhaps unlucky not to take the lead in this encounter, but then, it was all blue. We can't wait to see these guys play Mexico in Round Two.

3) France (F)

A horrible World Cup trip finished off by an embarrassing 2-1 loss to the hosts, France never got out of first gear during the tournament, and got what they deserved. We can think of another country that will get what it deserves if it loses or draws tomorrow  too...next up? The firing for Coach Domenech, if there's any justice in the world. A lifetime ban from the French team for Nicolas Anelka might be good too.

4) Uruguay (B)

Homer Simpson's favourite country aren't playing like Springfieldidiots right now, passing the ball beautifully. Unexpectedly, they kept on attacking Mexico, and won a game that could easily have ended 4-4. Special points go to the team themselves, which is a collection of male models. Girlies! Go Crazy! Next up? South Korea.

5) Greece (D-)

Defensively they stood up okay until the last 10 minutes of the game, when Argentina really started to pile on the pressure. A flukey DiMichaelis goal made it 1-0, and they were unable to stop Messi's rebound fall to substitute Palermo, making it two. Up front, it seemed that ten players had been given leaden feet and Samaras had to do all the running—and he could have given Greece the lead in the first half. However, he didn't, and Greece is on the way home. Next up? Can we suggest a change in tactics for the European Championship charge?

6) South Korea (B-)

Defensive failures aside, South Korea never gave up and we should all be pleased to see them in the second round against Uruguay. It should be a fun spectacle.

7) Nigeria (D-)

'Twas the defending that killed the Nigerians, and that's hardly surprising on evidence of the first two games. Although the Eagles finally put a couple of goals on the scoresheet, it wasn't enough and Korea somewhat hung on. Next up? Find a defensive midfielder who's Nigerian, in the same way as Jack Charlton used to trawl the old First Division finding midfielders who may have had a dog who was Irish.

8) Mexico (B)

Last but not least, are the Mexicans, whose sombrero-wearing, loud, passionate fans could be heard above the eternal ear-rotting buzz of the vuvuzela. Mexico had their chances to equalise/take the lead against Uruguay, but were unlucky. But it's good that a football team that likes to play football is going into Round Two. Next up? A monster match-up against Argentina. Expect goals galore!

This was not just a football match, it was a battle of two nations. A fight to be in the next round of the biggest football tournament in the world.

France, the 2006 runners up, was meant to fly through the group stages of this year's World Cup. Yet they stumbled at the first hurdle and kept on falling.

France drew their first game to Uruguay on the opening day. This wasn't a bad result as later on other highly ranked teams did the same or even lost, as in Spain's case.

However, the next game is where they came tumbling down. They lost 2-0 to Mexico. The defeat was only the start of their rollercoaster week.

Anelka was sent home after an argument during the Mexico game, which was followed by, what the media call, the French Revolution II . Players boycotted training, Evra argued with the fitness coach, even the French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, was involved.

If South Africa could beat the French, they would have a chance to progress to the last 16, and make the Republic of Ireland very happy, after they were cheated out of the finals by Thierry Henry's handball.

South Africa vs. France

Even in their recent poor form, France was still the favorites to win.

For the first 20 minutes they were equal to each other. Both teams made runs and had shots without any result.

The South Africa was awarded a corner. The ball was whipped in, and LLoris, the French goalie, went out to punch it out of the box.

However, LLoris missed the ball, which then landed on the shoulder of Khumalo and hit the back of the net. South Africa was in a surprising lead.

Then the match got even worse for 'Les Bleus.' As they were on the attack, Gourcuff jumped to head the ball into the South African box. As he jumped, his arms waved and hit the face of Sibaya who went down in a heap.

The ref thought it was violent, so he sent him off and left France with 10 men.

After the red card, South Africa were the more dominant, with France having limited chances.

Things couldn't have got any worse for the European team but then...

With just over five minutes to go, South Africa was on the attack again, Tshabalala got to the line and fizzed the ball across the goal's mouth. Khumalo showed his presence from three yards out and bundled the ball over the line.

At half time, South Africa was leading 2-0 and was close to progress to the last 16.

Domenech, the Frech coach, had a lot to say or shout at his players during the 15 minute break.

South Africa continued their dominance in the second half. Within the first five minutes they had a few shots on goal with one hitting the post and the other going wide.

Unfortunately for Bafana Bafana, one of the French attacks caught them out. The ball was played through the defense, then across the goal and passed into the net by Malouda.

When Henry came onto the pitch, he was booed everytime he took a touch.

The rest of the game went on without incident. Both teams had shots and both teams missed.

With 2-1 as the score line, South Africa would need either Uruguay or Mexico to win by 3 goals, for them to have any chance of progressing.

Group A results:

South Africa 2 - 1  France

Mexico  0 -  1 Uruguay

Group A table:

                          Pts        GF     GA

1. Uruguay             7          4       0

2. Mexico               4          3       2

3. South Africa        4         3       5

4. France               1          1       4

Uruguay and Mexico go through to the last 16.

Suddenly it's all up in the air as Group A reaches an hysterical climax. Uruguay have scored against Mexico, South Africa 2-0 up against France. Halftime in Bloemfontein and Phokeng.

The phones are buzzing, I've just been on on to 702, the big Johannesburg radio station and they're going bonkers.

Situation is this: South Africa need to score two more goals and Uruguay have to maintain that lead for the hosts to get through.

Bongani Khumalo, who has been brilliant next to captain Aaron Mokoena at the heart of the Bafana Bafana defence, scored with a superb header after 21 minutes to start the pulses racing. Siphiwe Tshabalala's corner deserves a mention. Spot on, and there haven't been many of those in this tournament with the Jabulani ball.

Five minutes later, France were down to ten men. Yoan Gourcuff was sent off for a challenge on Macbeth Sibaya. Colombian ref Oscar Ruiz adds to the French problems at this World Cup and Raymond Domenech looks hard done by. Rightly so.

After 37 minutes Katlego Mphela made it 2-0 to South Africa and a couple of minutes later in came the news from the Royal Bafokeng Stadium... Luiz Suarez had headed Uruguay in front.

The situation at half-time, at the risk of repeating myself: South Africa need to score two more and hope Uruguay maintain their lead over Mexico. That way, South Africa and Mexico will both end with four points and a plus-one goal difference... but the hosts will get through by dint of more goals scored (five to four).

It's the narrowest of margins, the slightest of chances... but South Africans are starting to believe... now for the longest 45 minutes of football they have ever witnessed.

50 minutes: Mphela hits the angle after a wonderful ball from Tshabalala who is playing well after a letting it all go to his head in the 3-0 defeat against Uruguay.

52 minutes: In Phokeng, Uruguay force to great saves and Mexico are struggling to find the form they showed in their 2-0 win over France last time out. It all comes from a free-kick from Diego Forlan, the former Manchester United striker who has blossomed at Atletico Madrid.

If those two goals - one for South Africa, one for Uruguay - had gone in, the hosts would be through.

54 minutes: Thierry Henry comes on for his 123rd French cap, equalling Fabien Barthez World Cup finals record of 17 appearances. Djibril Cisse, after nearing pulling one back for France, goes off.

57 minutes: Mamelodi Sundowns striker Mphela nearly does it at sundown... well saved. South Africa pushing hard. Steven Pienaar's follow up effort blocked. Domenech looks very, very old.

59 minutes: South Africa corner. Too strong. In Phokeng, Mexico pushing for the single point they need which would put both sides through regardless of South Africa's margin.

61 minutes: France hoofing it anywhere. Don't they realise their World Cup is done? Bernard Parker cuts in but his near-post effort is saved as he sails past Gael Clichy. South Africa playing with two up front in this one, and it shows.

64 minutes: Mexico go close to that conclusive equaliser. Francisco Rodriguez puts his diving header just wide. Henry has grabbed the captain's armband for France. It was taken away from his old Arsenal team-mate William Gallas before the game. France all over the place.

65 minutes: Was that a Henry handball? Our Irish friends may have noticed another Hand of Frog moment. South Africa turn to Siyabonga Nomvete, their veteran striker. What a chance to grab glory.

67 minutes: Parker off, Nomvete on. Wonder if they regret dropping the slightly unfit Benni McCarthy from their squad now? He's South Africa's record goalscorer. Eight years ago Nomvete scored in Bafana's only World Cup finals victory, a 1-0 win over Slovenia.

68 minutes: DISASTER for South Africa. Florent Malouda scores for France, lovely ball from Franck Ribery across the face under pressure.

70 minutes: Ribery suddenly looks interested. France starting to play but 2-1 down. Mexico making changes but still 1-0 down to Uruguay. They'll go through if it stays like this.

Jan Molby, Liverpool's now-elderly Great Dane, reckons Henry's arrival has galvanised the French, who will still be going home to rotten fruit. Three goal swing needed for South Africa, it's getting late.

79 minutes: Teko Modise on for South Africa... Tshabalala puts an ambitious shot high. Bloody Jabulani balloon! Nine on target for South Africa, four for France. Uruguay still lead 1-0. Looks like Mexico are going to creep through with four points and a superior goal difference.

82 minutes: Sidney Govou on for France. Need goals now. Three of them for Uruguay or South Africa. In eight minutes. Ain't going to happen.

South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira clutches his chest. He won the World Cup with Brazil in 1994. Not going to happen here.

86 minutes: Uruguay have an effort saved. Mexico are going to go through on goal difference ahead of South Africa... they'll play Argentina in the round of 16. 

90 minutes: Uruguay balloon a shot over the bar. But in Bloemfontein it's France pushing forward. Group A is just about over. Uruguay go through as winners to play the Group B runners-up (could be South Korea, Greece or Nigeria)

Injury time: Uruguay have a late corner. Tshabalala has a late effort denied. Whistle's gone in Phokeng, 1-0 to Uruguay.

It's over. France, the 1998 champions and finalists four years ago, end bottom of Group A with one point. South Africa, 2-1 winners, lose out on goal difference to Mexico. Gutted. Uruguay win the group. This World Cup needed the hosts to go through. There was real hope after half-time, but the miracle was not to be.

The last word from Carlos Alberto Parreira. The South Africa coach said: "It happens, it happens. I'm so proud for the boys. Look at France, the quality of the players they have.

"We were better. We won the game. If Mphela had scored his chance it would have been 3-0... but I am so proud of my boys."

Just over a week after the big kick-off, FIFA and South Africa are basking in the glow of success--and vastly increased profits.

Bafana, Bafana, you broke my heart. 

Where was the team that came alive against Mexico and almost beat them? Yesterday, that team was nowhere to be seen.  Yesterday, you looked like the team that is ranked 83rd by FIFA.  Yesterday, you proved why all the critics wrote you off before the World Cup even started. 

It isn't that you lost.  Uruguay showed us they are a very good team that played with discipline and commitment.  There is no shame in losing to a team that plays well.  The difference is that they played with passion and commitment, and you did not. 

You were beaten to the ball too many times.  They ran you down from behind.  They fought harder and they showed heart.  I did not sense that from you, Bafana. 

Siphiwe Tshablala, when you said before the game that Uruguay was in plenty of trouble, you stirred up a hornet's nest.  It only inspires your opponent. 

Perhaps the team was too confident. I confess that we were all confident.  The team played well in the games before the Cup, especially the last one, when you outplayed and beat a good Denmark side.  We all believed the low FIFA ranking was a reflection of the past, not of the present.

Coach Parreira, you blamed the referee after the game.  It was not the referee's fault.  It was a penalty, even if Itumeleng Khune did not intend to foul.  It was unlucky because the tip of his foot accidentally caught Luis Suarez's foot.  That is still a penalty, even though the red card was harsh.  What I cannot understand is why you made no changes in the lineup or the tactics when it was clear nothing was working. 

South Africa is still proud of Bafana.  It is not over yet, and the team brought joy to a nation that has welcomed the rest of the world.  The country is sad but they are not upset.  We know you did your best on an emotional day for us—National Youth Day, when we remember those school children who stood tall and defiant in the face of police bullets to oppose an evil system.

South Africa is still new to international soccer and the team still has a lot to learn, but this will make Bafana stronger.  It isn't over yet and we still have one game left.  It will be difficult to make it to the next round.  We have nothing to lose, so all I ask is that you find the heart and the ability that the team has. Even if we don't advance, Bafana and the country will hold their heads high.

I actually first noticed the shoes earlier this Summer while attending an MLS (Major League Soccer) match between the Philadelphia Union and D.C. United.

The grayish-purple boots with the bright orange Nike Swoosh, worn by Union striker Sebastien Le Toux. Being the football traditionalist that I am, I thought how awful the purple and orange blend looked against the back drop of the finely manicured green grass of Lincoln Financial Field.

Then as I watched Le Toux cap off the match with the first hat trick in Philadelphia Union team history, I smiled and said to the person next to me, it’s gotta be the shoes.

As it turns out I not only took the bait but let the folks at Nike reel me in like a big mouth Bass. The hard to miss boots are part of an aggressive campaign being used by the marketing masterminds at Nike to help cut into the international football merchandise market dominated by Adidas and Puma.

Historically, Nike has been a strong soccer brand in the United States, but has struggled to gain much of a market share internationally. Nike by the way a huge sponsor of the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT)

It is no mistake that almost every other pair of boots being worn at the World Cup are a variation of this boot; Nikes Total90 Elite or the Mercurial Vapor Superfly II Elite.

As a matter of fact, Nike released their Elite series as a lead up to this year’s World Cup and as you continue to watch the group and knockout stages, you’ll notice some of the top players on the planet are wearing the shoe with the grayish-purple forefoot and bright orange heel and underside.

Coincidentally, both goals scored during the World Cup opening match between Mexico and South Africa was scored by players wearing the shoes.

Other notable players who have tossed the boots into their kit bag are, England’s Wayne Rooney, Ivory Coast’s Didier Drogba, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, Clint Dempsey of the United States, Alex and Robinho of Brazil and Italy’s Fabio Cannavaro just to name a few.

South Africa might just be the springboard Nike needs to open some space in the international soccer market.

By the way, if you’re thinking about purchasing the boots to put in your bag to impress your buddies at the weekend pickup game in the park. The Nike Total90 Elites will cost you about $324.00 American dollars while the Mercurial Vapor Superfly II Elites sell for around $399.00

Gee, I wonder how much a couple of cans of bright orange and grayish-purple paint would cost.

South Africa falls 0:3 to Uruguay , courtesy of two goals by Diego Forlan, one from a penalty kick, and Alvaro Pereira. To be fair to Bafana Bafana, they had a good first half if bested by Uruguay, with Diego Forlan marshalling events in the midfield. South Africa's nightmare began when Forlan's shot on goal at the 24th  minute was deflected by A aron Mokoena, giving it a needed dip towards goal, leaving goalkeeper   Itumelenge Khune in no man's land as the ball landed in the net.

 With much of the first half still to play, and with all of the 45 minutes of the second half to look forward to, hope was still not lost. But on resumption, the superiority of Uruguay became apparent as they completely shut down the midfield, allowing South Africa no leeway. It was a very discipline defensive display by Uruguay, who played a 4-4-2 formation, in which the midfield four moved with precision, the eventual bane of South Africa.

 The midfield of Uruguay was an effective answer for Bafana Bafana's style of play which favors individual movement on the ball with quick passes through the middle and out to the flank and then diagonally inward as they approach the last quarter of the opponent's halve. It didn't help matters that South Africa played with a lone striker in the middle. What they needed to have done were two things: a quicker touch on the ball with quick movement off the ball while building the attack from the back deliberately and patiently, and a   utilization of the flanks (rather than their diagonal movements) to stretch out the midfield four as well as the back four of Uruguay. A "V" attack build up from the back while the players on the flank moved off the ball could have drawn out the midfield four, affording South Africa an opportunity to get the ball into the first quarter of Uruguay's halve and out to the flank to be crossed into the goal area.

 The send off of goalkeeper Khune for fouling Suarez put paid to South Africa's hope of advancing from the group stage. It will require a fairy tale finish for them in their match against France to advance from the group and even then, France would need to lose to Mexico and Mexico to Uruguay.   All indications point to South Africa's exit in the group stage, which is a shame. The hosts needed to have progressed further in the competition for the sake of the fans at least. After the penalty kick, which resulted in a second goal for Uruguay, there was a mass exodus of South Africa's supporters from the stadium. It remains to be seen whether or not the locals would still attend matches if South Africa is knocked out.

South Africa is practically out of the World Cup. Beaten 3-0 by a disciplined Uruguay side in the Loftus Versfield Stadium, the hopes and prayers—not to mention the vuvuzuelas—of a nation were silenced by a Diego Forlan led side who were in no mood for sentimentality.

Having grown into the opening match against Mexico, South Africa were treated to a lesson in organisation and discipline, as Uruguay held the hosts at arm's length for the entire game.

Alvaro Pereira scored in injury time while Diego Forlan added a brace, including a clinically taken penalty in the 80th minute after Bafana Bafana's goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune took Luis Suarez down with a clumsy challenge on the edge of the six-yard box with the striker bearing down on goal.

Swiss referee, Massimo Busacca, favourite to take the World Cup Final on July 11, was left with the only decision he could take and sent Khune off, leaving South Africa's hopes in tatters.

The host country were stunned. Their manager, Carlos Parreira, looked on helplessly and seemed oblivious to the fact that he had to get another keeper onto the pitch. When he did finally make a decision, Steven Pienaar, somewhat amazingly, was the player he chose to sacrifice.

In truth, the difference between the two sides was vast.

Uruguay were head and shoulders above naive South Africa, and from the outside, it looks as if the home country found the added pressure of playing in South African Rugby's spiritual home too much.

Anything that could go wrong did, and the home side collapsed under the expectation of their fans.

They were all over the place, and they made the game far too easy for the South Americans, who stroked the ball around as if it was a training match. They never got close enough to even make a serious challenge on the pitch, never mind challenging for the match, and their passing was wayward at best.

Uruguay dominated midfield to such an extent that South Africa visibly wilted against their formidable opponents. Pereira's growing reputation as a tigerish midfielder was done no harm at all.

To put it another way: South Africa's first shot at goal, never mind on goal, came in the 68th minute—such was Uruguay's suffocating play.

Simply put: South Africa, ranked 83rd in the world, will become the first ever hosts to exit the tournament before the knockout stages.

With their final game against France, you would have to think that Les Bleus would be a bridge too far...

For South Africa to qualify, they need France to draw tomorrow with Mexico. Then they would need Uruguay to either draw or beat Mexico before they beat Les Bleus in their final game.

An unlikely run of results, but not impossible...

As Forlan's expert penalty smashed into the top corner, the Loftus Versfield Stadium started emptying, and with it, all the good will that Bafana Bafana had taken from its people evaporated.

Many had predicted that the hosts would exit the tournament at the group stage of the World Cup.

With stadiums showing as many as 15,000 empty seats, FIFA must have a very real worry that the home crowd might vanish from the tournament completely, vuvuzuelas and all...