Ivory Coast vs Portugal. Today in Port Elizabeth at 4pm, Group G
The Ivory Coast had eased through qualifi cation to the fi nals only to be placed in the ‘group of death’ with Brazil and Portugal.
Ivory Coast vs Portugal. Today in Port Elizabeth at 4pm, Group G
The Ivory Coast had eased through qualifi cation to the fi nals only to be placed in the ‘group of death’ with Brazil and Portugal.
Portugal, ranked third in the world, are the slight favourites for the match, having developed in recent years into a well-oiled football machine that plays a slick, fl uid game.
All the African sides, however, have enjoyed strongsupport from local fans as good as if they were playing in their own country. If the Ivoirians can use this to their advantage, then Portugal can expect a tough match against the physical and technicallystrong West African side.Players to watch:
Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast).
All eyes will be on Ivory Coast’s talismanic captain as the striker aims to follow his topscoring goal tally in the English Premier League with a handful of goals at the World Cup.
Billed as Africa’s best striker, the Elephants’ performance at the fi nals will depend on how Drogba can lead from the front.
Christiano Ronaldo (Portugal).
The world’s most expensive player comes to this World Cup great expectation. As a player who has won everything at club level, Portugal’s captain will be hungry to prove his talent early on in the tournament.
South Africa vs Uruguay. Tomorrow in Pretoria at 8.30pm, Group A
The hopes of the nation rest in this crucial encounter between Bafana and Uruguay tomorrow. While both teams managed a draw on Friday, the South Africans have come off better than Uruguay who had a drab performance against an impotent French side. South Africa, in contrast, played with inspiration something they will try to emulate in Pretoria as well. If Bafana can tighten their game technically, and if the bigger players like Steven Pienaar and Teko Modise can come to the party, then three points is well in reach.Players to watch:
Itumeleng Khune (South Africa).
The young Kaizer Chiefs keeper had a brilliant game against Mexico with a performance that belied his age. His agility and ability to deal with aerial balls will count for everything against a strong Uruguayan attack. If Bafana are to win against the South Americans, only a clean sheet for Khune will do.
Diego Forlan (Uruguay). The Athletico Madrid target-man come off a hot goal-scoring streak, having bagged four goals in his last two European games to help his club to the Europa League title, and seven goals in his last 14 appearances for Uruguay.
A clinical fi nisher, Forlan also has a lethal shot from outside the box and is likely to trouble the South Africans with quick runs in and behind the defence.
Nigeria vs Greece. Thursday in Bloemfontein at 4pm, Group B
It’s do-or-die time for the Super Eagles, coming off their fi rst game with a loss to Argentina. Greece are in the same boat with a loss meaning an exit from the World Cup but Nigeria will go into the game gaining confi dence from their Saturday performance.
They created plenty of chances during their loss while Greece hardly ever got out of the starting blocks against South Korea. Nigeria will have to win if they are to have any chance of qualifying for the second
round. Players to watch:
Lukman Haruna (Nigeria).
Haruna performed admirably against the Argentineans on Saturday holding down his midfi eld position with good tackles and a keen eye for feeding runs on the wing. Nigeria will need him more than ever on Thursday to get past a slow, but solid Greek midfield.
Georgios Samaras (Greece).
The lumbering forward showed fl ashes of brilliance in a bad team performance on Saturday and will look to upping his game against Nigeria.
Physical, strong and agile, Samaras is capable of incisive runs down the flanks as well as quick darts into the box.
