Early qualifiers for next year Pt 1

Here’s the first part of the World Cup Bafana Bafana 2010 quick guide to those teams who have bookmarked the Ibis South Africa website and are already looking forward to the Jo’burg equivalent of the continental breakfast:

The Netherlands

Seven games and seven wins; 16 goals scored and only two conceded. Let’s not get too overawed by these stats. Their group included FYR Macedonia, Iceland and an Archie Gemmill-less Scotland, and he gave up scoring goals against the Dutch after that one back in 1978. The Oranjes are a good outside bet for next year but will have to do more than beat former Yugoslav republics and bankrupt rocks in the North Atlantic.

TV Channel launched

Last night I was scanning the Sky channel list looking for something interesting to watch. The listings were bulging with docu-programmes featuring strangers telling each other how to live their lives. Not my cup of tea.

Then I spotted SA Direct (SKY 270). “This is unusual,” I thought. “An entire channel devoted to the street thugs instrumental in Hitler’s rise to power. Apart from the sheer inappropriateness of the idea, surely this should be on The History Channel alongside Hitler’s Bodyguards and Hitler’s Sock Darners?”

But the handy information box told a different story. SA Direct is short for Southern Africa Direct, a channel which quickly got to the heart of the matter by promising lots of news and views about next year’s World Cup. There is other stuff but I know what I like.

Have a look when you get the chance.

The countdown begins

The countdown to next year’s World Cup in South Africa starts now. Thanks for joining me on the journey to Soccer City Johannesburg, venue for the final on July 11th 2010.

Incidentally, you’re joining a blogger who compares football-free summers with the scene in Misery where Kathy Bates breaks James Caan’s legs.

I experience similar gut-wrenching pain every two years as the rest of the nation hoorahs its way through the lawn tennis championships and cricket games.

And yes I know we’ve had the Confederations Cup, but it’s just not the same, is it?

Thankfully the football starts again in August, promising much before the international squads muster in May for what is officially known as 2010 FIFA World Cup South AfricaTM.

Here it will be known as World Cup Bafana Bafana 2010. I have decided to do this for two reasons. One, Bafana Bafana or ‘The Boys’ is the nickname of the South African team. Two, I just like it.

That’s enough background. Keep coming back for more on the teams who qualify throughout the summer and autumn. Eventually this blog will include reports, analysis, the World Cup final draw, and lots of other stuff.

World Cup Bafana Bafana 2010 here we come!