World Cup 2010 – Underdogs South Africa in for a tough opener against Mexico

The argument that South Africa will underperform at this year’s FIFA World Cup 2010 is based on blinkered assumption they will crumble under the immense pressure of hosting the event however it ignores the other very obvious reason that no one wants to admit.

South Africa vs Mexico betting odds:
Friday, June 11, 10am EST (4pm Johannesburg local time)
Moneyline
South Africa +175
Draw +215
Mexico +155

Team Total
South Africa 1 O -105, U-115
Mexico 1 O-115, U -105

Bafana Bafana is simply not a powerhouse nation while their pool opponents in Mexico, France and even Uruguay very much are.

Match predictions against first round opponents Mexico are easy enough – Mexico should have no problems in dispatching of the hosts at Johannesburg Soccer City Stadium – although the score line betting could prove more troublesome.

While stopping short of declaring Bafana’s World Cup 2010 campaign dead and buried before it begins, the odds of their progression out of the pool stages are about as likely as avoiding Nelson Mandela references or mainstream media’s blanket coverage of South Africa’s shanty towns.

Sporting just one English Premier League player in Everton’s Steven Pienaar, Bafana is short of top quality talent however their playing roster is brimming with local stars.

That would be okay if they were playing in the African Cup of Nations, a tournament they have won just once since their readmission year in 1996.

They aren’t playing African Cup however they are hosting the World Cup 2010 and rest assured Mexico will find weaknesses in their defense and use their speedy strikers – Arsenal's Carlos Vela and Manchester United's Javier Hernández – to pepper the goals like shotgun pellets.

At the other end of the park Bafana’s strike weapon Katlego Mphela and Siyabonga Nomvethe, who both turn out for Mamelodi Sundowns and Moroka Swallows in South Africa’s Premier League respectively; will be in for a tough assignment against the likes of PSV Eindhoven’s Francisco Javier Rodriguez and his merry band of defensemen which includes PSV team mate Carlos Salcido.

South Africa, ranked 83rd in the world, have managed just one win in six World Cup games and it would be a minor miracle if they added to that total and overcame Mexico, who is ranked 15th in the world and have appeared at 13 previous World Cups.

The bitter pill for Mexico is that they have yet to hold aloft the silverware, in the past four appearances they have bowed out in the Round of 16.

This World Cup 2010 they have the firepower to better that but can this be a championship year? It’s unlikely but with Vela and Hernandez up front, they are in with a slim chance of making World Cup 2010 a very special tournament.

Prediction:

My tip is for Mexico at +155, back the -115 over as I am going for a 2-0 victory, which at +750 will also be handy. Both goals will be scored in the first half (+1000) as Mexico will be keen to stamp their authority on the tournament and will flood Bafana Bafana in the first half before resting their stars in the second half giving the rest of their squad a run around.