WORLD CUP OPENING CEREMONY INJURY UPDATE: they're going for two up front as J-Lo breaks down in training but recovers to join Pitbull

Yes she is, no she isn't: Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull WILL join forces tonight after "technical" issues

It's tense. The big kick-off is approaching and the striking fulcrum's availability was in question. Yes, it's the traditional Opening Ceremony crisis for Brazil 2014. Jennifer Lopez went down in training but has apparently recovered (or so www.twitter.com/jlo would suggest) and Brazil will be going with two (or three) up front at their much-anticipated Opening Ceremony.

YOUR OPENING WORLD CUP VIEWING SCHEDULE TONIGHT (from 7pm CAT)

8pm: SABC and SuperSport faces waffle a bit

8.15: Over to Sao Paulo. Lots of noise and flags, loud music.

8.20: Sepp Blatter says something insincere, possibly suffering from flatulence.

8.25: Brazil gives Sepp's people lots of money, nobody's sure how much

8.30: The World Cup anthem "Ola Ola" (In English "Ono Ono") debuts

8.35: J-Lo goes down heavily, Pitbull gives her his famous "bite of life"

8.45: More noise. Bright lights. No fireworks apparently.

8.50: Ceremony ends. Brazilian workers hastily finish building the stadium.

8.55: Pitch laid.

9pm: Brazil and Croatia emerge with expensive World Cup balls

9.15: Carnival atmosphere on the streets sees police in riot gear called out.

9.30: SABC and SuperSport faces waffle a bit

9.50: Teams emerge for anthems. Tears.

10pm: Neymar falls over.

10.20: Fred misses.

11.10: Neymar falls over. Scores.

Midnight: A slightly flustered Brazil register an unimpressive win over Croatia.

Seriously, back at USA 94, Oprah Winfrey actually fell off the stage while introducing Diana Ross at Chicago's Soldier Field before the first North American World Cup. Then dead-shot Di actually mis-kicked her penalty - the ball was supposed to split in two when punted it in to the net but she missed, Stuart Pearce style. Even the greatest stars can get it wrong, ask Bernard Parker.

Twenty years later, Jennifer Lopez is doing a bit of a Cristiano Ronaldo on the anxious Brazilians before the New Corinthians Stadium opens with a blast at 8.15pm CAT (7.15pm in UK).

A crowd of 68,000 will assemble for the 25-minute Opening Ceremony, and with Lopez officially withdrawing ("technical difficulties") and then deciding she was fit, it looks like Pitbull, the bloke who opened the 2013 IPL, will have two partners, along with Brazilian Claudia Leitte.

The three of them will sing the 2014 official anthem "Ola Ola" ("We Are One") before turning the stage over the over 600 gymnasts, trampolinists and dancers. The official English version: "Ono Ono" ("We Haven't Won") will officially be sung for the first time after Roy Hodgson's troops play Italy on Saturday.

I jest. In truth, given their tradition of music, dancing and the slightly risqué Rio Carnival, we expect great things from Brazil before the tournament and during it, despite the protests, graffiti and late arriving stadia which have marked the World Cup build-up so far.

This bloke Pitbull (real name Armando Christian Pérez) appears to be the key player. Born in Miami to Cuban parents about 33 years ago, he made his name by going to number one in most countries around the world with Timber in 2011.

According to most biographies, Pitbull is a bit of a precocious Messi in rap terms amid claims he could juggle the poems of Cuba's national hero Jose Marti from the tender age of three. Apparently the self-confessed former drug dealer chose the stage name Pitbull because: "The Pitbull is too stupid to lose. They bite to lock. They're basically everything that I am. It's been a constant fight."

Wayne Rooney is allegedly changing his name to Dalmation sometime soon after his spotty performance for England, while Roy Hodgson will appear as Cocker Spaniel in Christmas pantomimes.

But seriously, with hosts Brazil kicking off their World Cup campaign at 10pm against Croatia, the nation needs a lift. There will be no fireworks at 7.15pm, so how it can possibly compete with South Africa's 2010 extravaganza is beyond me.

I have attended four World Cup opening and three Olympic opening ceremony. Sydney 2000 was the best I've seen. Fireworks are a must. Back in 1966, England paved the way with a bunch of schoolboys wearing waving flags. We've come a long way.

The bloke behind tonight's extravaganza is, as surprisingly as their current football team, a Belgian. Daphne Cornez insists (with an alarming lack of awareness of his own nation's rampant colonialism): "Tonight will be a tribute to Brazil and it's treasures: Nature, people, football."

Real treasures like gold and diamonds were, of  course, taken from Brazil by European "explorers" a few centuries years ago.

In good old imperialist fashion, Cornez adds: "All the participants at the opening ceremony are motivated. It doesn't matter whether they're tired or hot, if they have to go through their routines again and again, they just keep on smiling. Amazing people."

And on that note: have a great World Cup. Mark Fish, Comfort Khezwa and I will be previewing the World Cup (and opening ceremony) at 9am on...

SOCCERBALLZ! my innovative football show on www.ballz.co.za with Mark Fish airs every Thursday from 9am-11am. See Ballz' channel for our growing library of fascinating football interviews with the big names. Ballz will also provide daily World Cup updates from next week.

You can also follow me on www.twitter.com/nealcol for all the latest sports news and read my “Neal and Pray” column every Tuesday in www.thenewage.co.za.

Brazil and South Africa name their starters for tonight: Khumalo to lead Bafana, Neymar in, Hulk out

Brazilliant: Neymar isn't scared, it's just his hairstyle

Confirmed: Bafana Bafana starting line-up to face Brazil in Sao Paulo tonight (live on SABC1, 8.45pm): Khune; Gaxa, Khumalo (capt), Sangweni, Masenamela: Dikgacoi, Furman, Tshabalala; Serero, Chabangu, Ndlovu.

Brazil : Diego Alves, Dani Alves, David Luiz, Dede, Marcelo, Oscar, Ramires, Lucas Moura, Romulo: Neymar, Leandro.

So, as the South African joke goes, there is nothing Kaka about this Brazilian side who will turn out against Gordon Igesund's first Bafana line-up.

Bongani Khumalo, the former SuperSport United title-winning centre-half, will captain South Africa in the absence of Everton's "injured" Steven Pienaar with Siphiwe Tshabalala as vice-captain. Khumalo arrived late in Brazil from PAOK, the financially-strapped Greek club he joined after a disastrous year at Tottenham Hotspur.

Under FIFA international friendly rules, both sides can sit their entire squads on the bench for tonight's game, with six substitutes allowed each, allowing Igesund to call on his untried youngsters - or veteran goal-poacher Benni McCarthy.

Khumalo lines up next to my preferred choice as skipper, Orlando Pirates player of the season Siya Sangweni, with Sibuniso Gaxa and Punch Masenamela filling the full-back slots ahead of Peterborough's emerging 18-year-old Kgosi Nthle.

Though the side trained in a 4-4-1-1 formation, Igesund has plumped for just three in his midfield: English Championship pair Kagiso Dikgacoi of Crystal Palace and Oldham's Dean Furman, who will make his debut. Siphiwe Tshablala plays wide.

Cape Town-born Furman, an unused sub for Joel Santana against Australia in 2008, said: "I've always dreamt of this, it's a great honour. I lived in South Africa until I was five, my family are still there. It's a very proud moment. I hope I can do myself justice."

Thulani Serero, who moved from Cape Town to Amsterdam with Ajax and scored twice against Herenveen last Saturday, is named as a striker, though he may also fulfil a wide role if Igesund does as promised and attacks down both flanks.

That leaves in-form Moroka Swallows goal-getter Lerato Chabangu and Maccabi Haifa's top-scorer Dino Ndlovu up front. It's an attacking, innovative side, if offer no critique of Gordon's first selection. Hard to say how they'll gel together.

What we do know is that, in Brazil, it's Sete de Setembro, the biggest public holiday of the year. We also know only about half of the 67,000 tickets for the Estadio do Morumbi have been sold as boss Mano Menezes attempts to lift Brazil from an all-time low of 12th in the FIFA world rankings.

Still, with England - who play Moldova tonight in a World Cup qualifier - ranked third, perhaps we shouldn't worry too much about a ranking system which puts South Africa down in a gloomy 74th.

In his effort to prove himself capable of running the five-times World Cup winners at the Brazil World Cup in 2014, Menezes has picked a side around the fabulous Neymar da Silva Santos Junior.

Better known simply as Neymar, there is no question the 20-year-old South American Footballer of the Year will soon be right up there with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the galaxy of global dominators.

Still plying his trade locally with Pele's old club Santos, he scored a hat-trick against local club Sao Paulo in April and will be up front with Internacional striker Leandro attempting to dismantle an South African defence dominated by Orlando Pirates player of the year Siya Sangweni.

That means there's no starting place for the incredible Hulk, the record-breaking Porto striker who has just completed a R360m move to Zenit St Petersburg.

The 26-year-old (real name Givnildo Vieira de Souza) insists: "I won't be hiding just because I'll be playing in Russia, these days all league are very visible. I'm sure Mano will be watching the Russian League, just as he does the English, Spanish and Italian.

"I just have to keep doing my job and taking my international chances."

Menezes's team boasts a total of just 170 caps - Barcelona's experienced Dani Alves passed a fitness test on his dodgy thigh to take his place a right back with Real Madrid's Marcelo at left-back. In the centre of defence, Chelsea's David Luis will be joined by Vasco Da Gama's Dede.

Sao Paulo's sought-after Lucas Moura, the local hero, dominates the midfield selecao with Chelsea pair Ramires and Oscar along with Spartak Moscow winger Romulo. Valenicia's Diego Alves takes his place in goal.

Look, it's a good side. But it's youngish and still developing. This is not the best bunch of Brazilians we have ever seen. And with Igesund's camp cheerful in the face of adversity, I'm hoping Bafana Bafana can begin the post-Pitso era with a vibrant draw or even a dramatic last-gasp Benni McCarthy winner.

The truth is, a 3-1 Brazil win feels about right. But as long as every South African player on show recognises the moment, grabs their opportunity on one of the greatest footballing stages, even defeat wouldn't be a disaster.

Before Mocambique receive a sound whipping in Mbombela next week.

Brazil v South Africa Preview: Gordon Igesund plays his captain's armband close to his chest

The champions' champion: Buccaneer Siya Sangweni

GORDON IGESUND’S Brazilian headache is rapidly turning in to a serious migraine. If, and that’s a sizeable if, everything goes to plan, I expect the Bafana Bafana coach’s first starting team to look like this in a 4-4-2 formation: Sandilands; Gaxa, Mathoho, Sangweni (captain), Nthle; Mokotjo, Dikgacoi, Furman, Tshabalala; Serero, Ndlovu.

Orlando Pirates veteran Siya Sangweni is not confirmed as skipper, but his known ability as a motivator with the double-champions may put last year’s Buccaneer of the season ahead of the Amakhosi’s Sipho Tshabalala in the race to succeed injured captain Steven Pienaar.

With Igesund playing his armband close to his chest, Shabba himself admits: “It does not matter who captains the side to me. We are here to rebuild Bafana under a new coach, that’s our priority.”

Worried South Africans should consider this: Brazil have just slipped to an all-time low in the FIFA rankings, despite their plethora of international stars.

Before tomorrow's friendly showdown at the Estadio do Morumbi in Sao Paulo (live on SABC1 8.45pm), Igesund was unable to have a good look at Dino Ndlovu or Benni McCarthy during training at Palmeiras.

With his favourite veteran Siyabonga Nomvethe of Moroka Swallows, Malmo’s Tokelo Rantie and up-and-coming Sundowns striker Edward Manqele already withdrawn, Igesund’s attacking options were already restricted before Ndlovu turned up from Israel on Wednesday with concussion.

The 22-year-old former Mamelodi Sundowns and Bloemfontein Celtic goal sensation took a knock on the head while scoring his third goal in three games for Maccabi Haifa on Saturday.

While Ndlovu did involve himself briefly in the training session, the Bafana Bafana medical staff will be keeping a close eye on his situation – and the veteran McCarthy’s “tight calf” which kept him sidelined at the Palmeiras training facility.

Igesund’s selection process is further complicated by the late arrivals of centre-back Bongani Khumalo from Greece and full-back Siboniso Gaxa, the late call-up from Kaizer Chiefs.

With just 32,000 tickets sold for the 67,000 Sao Paulo venue on Brazil’s biggest national holiday today, Igesund knows his Brazilian counterpart is under pressure too – anything less than a thumping win over South Africa will put Mano Menezez on the brink.

Five-time World Cup winners Brazil are currently ranked a gloomy 12^th in the latest FIFA rankings with South Africa 74^th, ten places short of their next World Cup qualifying rivals Central African Republic, who are 64^th.

But rankings mean little to Igesund as he starts the monumental task of guiding Bafana to the AFCON 2013 semi-finals on home soil before engineering World Cup qualification for Brazil 2014 with his side on two points from two games so far.

If Ndlovu is fit, Igesund will play him alone up front ahead of Thulani Serero, who scored twice for Ajax Amsterdam in their 2-2 draw against Herenveen on Saturday before a 53^rd-minute red card.

Swallows’ reformed alcoholic Lerato Chabangu, in top form on the domestic scene, will be on the bench with late replacement McCarthy, if fit.

With Everton’s Steven Pienaar “injured” after Saturday’s defeat against West Brom, Champions club Oldham Athletic’s 24-year-old Dean Furman – not to be confused with Norwich City’s English-qualified South African Andrew Surman – is set to make his debut after appearing as a non-playing sub for Joel Santana against Australia in 2008.

Fellow Championship battler Kagiso Dikgacoi of Crystal Palace will slot in next to Furman with Feyenoord’s Kamohelo Mokotjo behind them in a protective midfield triangle, leaving Siphiwe Tshabalala wide left. Serero will be expected to find space out on the right wing while supporting Ndlovu up front.

SuperSport United’s George Maluleka will be on the bench to add creative impetus if needed.

If Khumalo is ready his late arrival from Thessalonika, he will line up next to Sangweni in central defence, though Tower Mathoho, Kaizer Chiefs off-season signing from Bloemfontein Celtic, will be eager to make up for the absence of stricken team-mate Morgan Gould, who would have led Bafana had he not needed a season-threatening Achilles tendon operation.

The Europe-tested Gaxa should take his place at right back though Punch Masenamela may find himself lined up behind Kgosi Nthle of Peterborough at left-back, the 18-year-old has apparently impressed in training.

In goal, with SuperSport United’s young shot-stopped Rowan Williams injured, Igesund knows all three “glamour club” keepers have suffered significant reverses in recent weeks, but he could go with Sundowns’ Wayne Sandilands ahead of Pitso Mosimane’s beloved Chief Itumelenge Khune and the returning Buccaneer Moeneeb Josephs.

Neymar, Dani Alvez and David Luiz will be lining up at the other end – along with Lucas Moura, Ramires and Paulinho who trained together in an 8-a-side training clash yesterday.

The last time these two teams met Brazil emerged victorious with a late Dani Alves strike knocking the Bafana out in the semifinal of the 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa.

Igesund knows any side he picks will come under severe pressure in all areas. But he insists: “We’ve taken a few blows over the last week. But you know me Neal, I don’t go out not to lose games. We will give it a go. We won’t go out there feeling inferior.”