The World Cup preview: predictions, graphic, how the groups unfold, first round results

Stuck at the intersection: Babb's hopeful graphic

What I love about this World Cup graphic is the simplicity of it. It takes us right back to 10-year-old mathematics and the intersection of groups.

And yes, it's accurate (even prophetic), based on the analysis and predictions of many football experts from around the world and compiled by a graphic artist called Babb somewhere in the heart of London at the Daily Telegraph (I think, judging by the twitter feed).

It shows quite clearly what I believe. That this World Cup, which kicks off on Thursday night with hosts Brazil v Croatia, will be dominated by the home continent, Latin America.

Still a hotbed for the beautiful game, Brazil will be sweating over the fitness of their iconic Neymar: his first season in Europe with Barcelona fell a little short of perfection but he remains the key figure... along with misfiring Fred, the striker with the world on his shoulders right now.


And there, in the "high hopes" area lie Argentina too, with a plethora of striking options which could see the little flea Lionel Messi using a cushion at times in the tournament, as the Argentine bench shuffles through the goal-scoring options.

Uruguay, with Luis Suarez struggling for fitness and Diego Forlan reaching pipe-and-slippers age, may also feature, though I'd look at Chile or Colombia as the third force at this world cup, the dark horses who could stretch in to a gallop if they survive the group stages.

Holders Spain, who have also won the last two European Championships, have to be among the contenders, along with 2010 beaten finalists the Netherlands and Germany, the best side in South Africa. But as I never tire of repeating: a European side has NEVER won the World Cup in the Americas.

England? They sit happily in the dead centre of our graphic. High hopes abound (as they have since 1966), but in truth, if they do well, they'll be considered dark horses in Brazil - and really they have to be considered no-hopers if the truth be told.


My assessment of the World Cup groups, showing the England/Italy/Uruguay/Costa Rica conflagration in Group D as the Group of Death and that Germany/Portugal/USA/Ghana showdown as second toughest in Group G (based ont he latest FIFA rankings) is HERE http://www.neal-collins.blogspot.com/2014/06/official-for-uruguay-italy-and-england.html.

Argentina have the easiest group. Brazil's is not as tricky as it might appear. A modest start is all that's required, plus the usual dose of good fortune, dodgy refereeing decisions and scorching goals in the knock-out stages.

We go in to every World Cup expecting shocks, but in truth, the big nations and the major names generally carry the day. I fear for Ghana, Africa's 2010 flag-bearers, only because the qualifying group is so irredeemably difficult. I pray for Nigeria, Cameroon and Algeria but really the Ivory Coast are the dark continent's only hope of a place in the last four, something Africa has NEVER achieved.

We will discuss the injuries endlessly, even with two days to go, the actually physical state of Suarez, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar has been called in to question... but there are always replacements. For me, Brazil should hold sway with Argentina pushing them close.

If the Germans score as freely as they did four years ago, if Thomas Muller can show us his full range of skills, they could outshine the fading Spanish. But none of the European giants - nor the African and Asian hopefuls - will match the Latin Americans.


My group-by-group analysis of the qualifiers is HERE: http://www.neal-collins.blogspot.com/2014/06/there-can-be-no-better-way-to-resume.html.


Oh, and here are my first round World Cup predictions made on http://www.kickoffpredictor.com/

ROUND 1 PREDICTIONS 

Thanks for making your predictions for Round 1 of KICK OFF Predictor.
These predictions were made on 6/4/2014 2:03:55 PM
Your predictions are: 

Brazil 2

vs

Croatia 0

Mexico 1

vs

Cameroon 1

Spain 0

vs

Netherlands 0

Chile 3

vs

Australia 0

Colombia 2

vs

Greece 0

Uruguay 2

vs

Costa Rica 1

England 0

vs

Italy 0

Ivory Coast 1

vs

Japan 0

Switzerland 2

vs

Ecuador 2

France 1

vs

Honduras 0

Argentina 4

vs

Bosnia and Herzegovina 0

Germany 2

vs

Portugal 1

Iran 0

vs

Nigeria 1

Ghana 1

vs

USA 1

OFFICIAL: For Uruguay, Italy and England, it's Group D for Death. Argentina have it easiest...South Africa would have been the WORST side there

Have mercy: Rio's statue of Christ looms over World Cup

Less than a week before the World Cup kicks off on Thursday night, we have a NEW GROUP OF DEATH.

We always knew it was going to be tough for Ghana at this World Cup. Drawn in Group G with Germany, Portugal and the USA, we suspected the Black Stars would struggle to finish in the top two after narrowly failing to reach the semi-finals in South Africa 2010.

But today we can reveal Group G is NOT QUITE as nasty as Group D (Uruguay, England, Italy and Costa Rica) as we count down to the 2014 World Cup tournament which starts with hosts Brazil v Croatia on Thursday.

There is only ONE scientific way to rate a World Cup qualification group. It goes like this: add up the combined FIFA rankings of the four sides involved. The highest score equals the EASIEST group, the lowest score suggests the MOST DIFFICULT pool (otherwise known as the GROUP OF DEATH).

With FIFA’s last set of rankings before the big kick-off released yesterday, now is the time to check just WHICH TEAMS have the easiest task when it comes to reaching the last 16.

On that basis, with Costa Rica up SIX places to 28^th and England moving up one while Portugal slipped a place to 4th in the latest rankings, Group D can now be classified as the toughest group with 54 points while Group G is the second hardest pool with a total of 56 points.

Argentina’s Group F – shared with Bosnia, Iran and Nigeria – is officially the easiest pool on 113 with Group H (Belgium, Algeria, Russia, South Korea) next easiest with a total world ranking of 109.

It’s also worth noting Group D contains the most top-ten teams (Three: Uruguay, Italy and England), while Group H (Belgium, Algeria, Russia, Korea Republic) offers no nation in that elite group.

The world’s top 15 teams are ALL involved, Ukraine (16^th) are the highest ranked nation failing to qualify. Denmark (23^rd) are the next highest-ranked failures followed by Slovenia (25^th) and, surprisingly, Scotland (27^th).

The lowest ranked team in the tournament is Australia at 62 with South Korea at 56. If South Africa, now ranked 65 after their draws against the Aussies and New Zealand last month, had qualified, they would have been officially the WORST team at the tournament.

GROUP BY GROUP

GROUP A

Brazil 3

Croatia 18

Mexico 20

Cameroon 56

TOTAL: 97

GROUP B

Spain 1

Netherlands 15

Chile 14

Australia 62

TOTAL: 92

GROUP C

Colombia 8

Greece 12

Cote D’Ivoire 23

Japan 46

TOTAL: 89

GROUP D

Uruguay 7

Costa Rica 28

England 10

Italy 9

TOTAL: 54

GROUP E

Switzerland 6

Ecuador 26

France 16

Honduras 33

TOTAL: 81

GROUP F

Argentina 5

Bosnia 21

Iran 43

Nigeria 44

TOTAL: 113

GROUP G

Germany 2

Portugal 4

Ghana 37

USA 13

TOTAL: 56

GROUP H

Belgium 11

Algeria 22

Russia 19

South Korea 57

TOTAL: 109 

Ghana's finest spells trouble for Ronaldo: yes the World Cup is here… and these are the 16 nations who will survive the opening cull

Doctors orders: Ronaldo's injury is apparently spiritual

THERE can be no better way to resume this writer's World Cup love affair. Let's deal first with the cracking tale about the Ghanaian witchdoctor who claims he has personally caused Cristiano Ronaldo's injury problems in the build-up to Brazil 2014.

The greatest sporting event in the world (shut up Olympians) gets underway next Thursday with the hosts taking on Croatia.


But for Africa, Ghana's fate is vital. One of their leading traditional practioners Nana Kwaku Bonsam is well aware of how important Portgual's No7 is in Group G.

Four short years ago in South Africa, Luis Suarez's hand denied Ghana a record-breaking place in the semi-finals of the Copa Mondiale. There cannot be a repeat. Dr Bonsam (apparently his full name means "Wednesday's Devil") has done his research. He knows Germany (2), Portugal (3) and the USA (14) are higher ranked than his own nation (38) and a little extra help may be required.

So on Wednesday when the Portuguese FA confirmed Ronaldo is still struggling with a muscle problem in his left thigh sustained in Real Madrid's Champions League-winning campaign, Dr Bonsam announced on a radio station in Kumasi: “I know all about Cristiano's injury, I’m working on him. I said four months ago I will work on Ronaldo seriously and rule him out of the World Cup or at least prevent him from playing against Ghana.

Beyond help: Ronaldo is a threat to Ghana

"The best thing I can do is give him an injury. I am very serious about it. Last weekend, I went around looking for four dogs and I got them to be used in manufacturing a special spirit called Kahwiri Kapam.

“This injury can never be cured by any medical doctor, they can never see what is causing the injury because it is spiritual. Today, it is his knee; tomorrow it is his thigh; next day it is something else."

Ghana play Portugal - reputed to be a bit of a one-man side by most pundits - in their final match of Group G in Brasilia on 26 June. We will find out then if the good doctor has made his muti count. Here in South Africa, we are not skeptical about these things. It's a serious matter.

Ah, four years ago. That opening goal of the first African World Cup scored by beautiful Kaizer Chiefs winger Simphiwe Tshabalala. An opening draw against Mexico. Hope alive… then the dark magic struck. Ironically it was Suarez and his golden-locked mate Diego Forlan who laid Bafana Bafana low.

Even victory against 1998 world champions France wasn't enough to put South Africa in to the last 16. For the first time in history, the hosts went out in the group stages. Ah, the pain.

Four years on, much has changed. I came to that World Cup fresh from working 4am-2pm in London, where a daily congestion charge of around R100 and a dull life were squeezing me dry. Four years on, I am free of colonialists who close successful newspapers, I have escaped calls from Sky News asking me to talk about skeleton bob-sleighing at 2am, I live in the nation where you can still see lions kill and the monthly etoll bill comes to less than a week of traveling in to London.


Unrestrained by ignorant editors and West Ham fans, I can write what I like. And this much needs to be said: South Africa should be at this World Cup. With Ethiopia docked three points in a qualification group that also featured Botswana and the Central African Republic, Bafana should at the very least have had a crack at the play-off against Nigeria.

Instead that magnificent headed own goal from Bernard Parker - the PSL's top scorer with 10 goals in a season which saw him last net in February - proves that muti is NOT dead in football.


Four years on, there is no Paul the octopus to amuse us. Yet. Apparently the aquatic prophet has gone to his own nirvana, known as "Calamari" in some quarters. I'm sure the Brazilians will pull out an indigenous golden lion tamarin to help us predict the outcome.


But what can be said, without reference to witchdoctors or, worse, Sammy Kuffour's labored predictions, is that NO EUROPEAN SIDE HAS EVER WON THE WORLD CUP IN LATIN AMERICA.


Four years ago, Germany were the best side on show, Holland gritted their way past Brazil in an epic come-from-behind quarter-final in Port Elizabeth… and Spain eventually won it, scoring just seven goals.


Those three European big guns are, naturally, back in Brazil. But this time we have the magical South Americans to throw at them on home soil. Chile, Colombia and Uruguay are there with the big guns, Brazil and Uruguay. Who dares to bet against the hosts after their Confederations Cup triumph?

But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's settle for sorting out the qualifiers for the last 16, that vital first step.

Group A, Brazil and Mexico will qualify with Croatia and Cameroon - barring a remarkable revival from Samuel Eto'o - dropping out. Mexico needed a play-off against New Zealand to get to Brazil, Croatia could push them hard, though many will pray for the Cameroonionians.

Group B offers better news for Europe with champions Spain and  beaten 2010 finalists the Netherlands favored. Chile might spring a surprise, but having seen Australia draw 1-1 with a makeshift Bafana last week, it's two out of three.

Group C offers Africa's best hope of serious impact. Didier Drogba and Gervinho led the Cote D'Ivoire to a 2-1 victory over El Salvador in front of 18,000 in Texas last night after last week's unhappy warm-up defeat against Bosnia. The Ivory Coast - with the rested Yaya Toure at the forefront - are expected to progress with Colombia, Greece and Japan will go home.

Group D? England have never failed to reach the knock-out stages at the finals, but this time, surely Uruguay and Italy will test that record, with Costa Rica bringing up the rear. Mario Balotelli is reassuring on this: "England are not rivals to Italy. They cannot win the World Cup." Fact.

Group E is the weakest of the lot. Switzerland and France come up against Honduras and Ecuador, who drew 2-2 with England in Miami last night. Sure, the Swiss were the only side to beat Spain in 2010 and they enjoy a spectacularly high FIFA ranking, probably thanks to uncle Sepp. But I'll go for France and Ecuador.

Group F will no doubt be dominated by Argentina's top class strike force (we could even see Lionel Messi on the bench) with Bosnia, Nigeria and Iran fighting it out for second. Ironically, the two favorites to replace Gordon Igesund as South Africa's head coach will battle it out. Carlos Queiroz has worked miracles in Tehran while Steve Keshi has done much the same out of Lagos. I'm taking the 2013 AFCON winners and reigning African Champions to roar in to the last 16.

Group G is clearly the group of death, full of fatal threats. Any good witchdoctor will tell you Ghana need a bit of magic to finish in the top two with Germany, Portugal and the Americans to contend with. Sadly, I think Ghana may struggle against Europe's 2nd and 3rd best sides… unless Ronaldo is ruled out of course.

Group H sees everyone's new favorites Belgium (who should really thank a former colony once known as the Congo for a lot of their emerging talent) ready to go further than ever before with Algeria, Russia and South Korea in the battle, presumably, for second. Actually, though they have of big names these days, the Belgians are no certainty. This is probably the hardest group to call. Belgium and Russia? Probably.

So that's it. My final 16. Feel free to have a go if I get it all wrong. I pray an African side - probably the Ivory Coast - will reach the last four. But for me, it's all about who gets to the final with Brazil. Argentina, surely?

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.

WORD OF GORD: The full statement on his demise from "deeply disappointed" Igesund

It's over: South Africa's national head coach Gordon Igesund

Here is the full statement produced by Gordon Igesund after SAFA announced they would not renew his contract as South Africa's national head coach:

"Firstly I would just like to start off by saying that it has been my distinct privilege and honour, as well as the highlight of my career to have been the South African Men's Senior National Team coach for these last two years.

"Of course I am deeply disappointed with SAFA's decision undertaken yesterday to not extend my contract beyond August, however this is football and it's the nature of the game.

"I have called this press conference in order to have the opportunity to personally thank those who have supported me throughout the ups and downs - from the SAFA executive committee right through to the technical staff and players. There are too many names to mention each and everyone individually, but certainly I would like to thank the likes of Danny Jordaan, Serame Letsoaka, Barney Kujane and Alex Heredia who have worked closely with me throughout this journey. 

"Together we have had a good run, which has seen the foundations having being laid for the vision, and plan I had for Bafana Bafana in order for them to move forward.

"This is illustrated through the introduction of many young players introduced under my reign some of which, like Dean Furman, May Mahlangu and Ayanda Patosi for example have gone on to establish themselves as true leaders and future stars of this team of ours.

"We also managed to overcome the old stigma of not being able to score goals at the top level. Over the last 32 matches we have managed to score in excess of 1.5 goals a game. 

"In official matches, we played 14, won 7, drew 5 and lost just twice. There have also been a number of friendlies for me to test ourselves and the victory over current world champions Spain will be a night I will never forget and South Africa should never forget. That game, that result is an indication of what is possible with a plan and a vision. Bafana does have the talent and the ability to compete, and defeat the very best and we must never forget that.

"All in all, looking back, as a South African I am incredibly proud of the fact that we have seen the team move up the world FIFA rankings whilst under my tenure and hope we can continue to do so moving forward under my successor.

"Whoever that is, I wish him all the best with his appointment and will always be available to assist Bafana Bafana wherever possible.

"I believe this team can do wonderful things with the vast talent I have seen and I believe I hand over a national team that is in a far better state than the one I inherited.

"Under the current guidance of SAFA I have no doubt we will continue to improve and I wish everyone involved with the national team the very best going forward."

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.

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.

Oh, and here are my first round World Cup predictions made on http://www.kickoffpredictor.com/

ROUND 1 PREDICTIONS 

Thanks for making your predictions for Round 1 of KICK OFF Predictor.
These predictions were made on 6/4/2014 2:03:55 PM
Your predictions are: 

Brazil 2

vs

Croatia 0

Mexico 1

vs

Cameroon 1

Spain 0

vs

Netherlands 0

Chile 3

vs

Australia 0

Colombia 2

vs

Greece 0

Uruguay 2

vs

Costa Rica 1

England 0

vs

Italy 0

Ivory Coast 1

vs

Japan 0

Switzerland 2

vs

Ecuador 2

France 1

vs

Honduras 0

Argentina 4

vs

Bosnia and Herzegovina 0

Germany 2

vs

Portugal 1

Iran 0

vs

Nigeria 1

Ghana 1

vs

USA 1

THERE IS NO GORD! Igesund's fate finally decided as SAFA say NO MORE

Keep your hair on! With Gordon
Igesund after the 2-0 defeat against
Norway in Cape Town which forced
me to shave my head

It was always a matter of WHEN not IF. Ever since that appalling display at CHAN, when Gordon Igesund failed to push Bafana Bafana beyond the group stages in January, the writing has been on the wall.

And as I said at the time here http://neal-collins.blogspot.com/2014/01/oh-my-gord-is-this-way-ahead-for-bafana.html, Carlos Queiroz – backed by a local technical director and possibly Roger de Sa – is the obvious choice to replace a man who spectacularly failed on ALL his mandates.

With the World Cup in Brazil about to take place without us (qualification was one of Gordon’s MUST DOs) the damage done during his two years at the helm will continue to be felt for some time.

When Igesund took the job, he promised me he would build relationships with PSL and foreign coaches, that he would groom players through frequent Bafana youth and U21 games, that he would produce a style of play all South Africans could relate to.

Instead, as we crashed out in the AFCON quarter-finals and failed to win a World Cup group even after Ethiopia were docked three points, Gordon did what he did as a club manager, winning a record four titles with four different clubs.

He played the old faithfuls, stuck with his favourites, relied on certain agents and contacts for information. While he patiently went for the infamous “Cup of coffee” with the internationally retired Steven Pienaar at Everton, he fell out publicly with Pienaar’s successor Thulani Serero amid a title-winning season at Ajax Amsterdam.

Though that spat was patched up, there were other behind-the-scenes disappointments, arguments, inexplicable selections. For fear of legal action I cannot talk about the specifics of some of those. I would question why Buhle Makhwanazi of AmaTuks had to beg to get a game while Thabo Nthethe found it impossible to be dropped as he moved to Mamelodi Sundowns and became the face of Mr Price Sport.

Cup knockout: Gordon and the infamous cup of coffee

I would ask what happened to Keagan Dolly, the talented Ajax Cape Town youngster who was picked for a 30 second appearance in Morocco and then disappeared off the radar. I’d love to know what happened between Gordon and Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, I’m fascinated by Matthew Pattison’s surprise appearance at CHAN and the constant shuffling of the side amid reports of huge bonuses on offer.

But now we can put those questions behind us. Gordon is gone when his contract expires in August. There will be no more Bafana games under his watch. Yes, he did his best. Nobody is questioning that. He could not legislate for his assistant Thomas Madigage’s tragic death early in his reign or Bernard Parker’s amazing own goal in Ethiopia.

But he had plenty of luck and failed to capitalise on it, with his reliance on men for whom the Bafana jersey had become a habit rather than a privilege.

At AFCON, a side better trained for penalty shoot-outs would have pushed Bafana to the semi-finals, in World Cup qualifying, the Central African Republic were forced to play on neutral ground and Ethiopia blundered over suspensions, at CHAN we had a plethora of Parker penalties.

But none of it mattered. Apart from the friendly win over Spain, nothing of note was achieved though Gordon will point to a superficially impressive seven defeats in 31 games. And even that win over the world champions failed to produce the expected rise in the FIFA rankings. Defeats to sides like Nigeria (in CHAN and a friendly), Zambia and that record 5-0 thumping at the hands of Brazil leaves Bafana in a WORSE situation than we were when Pitso Mosimane was chucked out for drawing with Ethiopia.

Igesund will say he was unfairly treated. That he never got the chance to qualify for a major tournament. But given the Ethiopia situation, he actually had a head start in the World Cup campaign, while AFCON and CHAN (both on home soil) were gifts he squandered.

Interestingly, the only achievement South Africa has managed over the last two years is down to Shakes Mashaba, whose Amajita won the COSAFA Under 20 tournament in Lesotho (Igesund’s senior side reached the final in Zambia) so we should hope that Mashaba, at 63, remains in Jordaan’s thinking.

Amid rumours about the controversial AFCON winner Steve Keshi of Nigeria, former Bafana, Real Madrid and Portugal No1 and Manchester United No2 Queiroz remains the favourite to fill the 24^th vacant Bafana hotseat in 22 years.

His reputation as a developer of youth – earned with a golden generation in Portugal – and his ability to lift Iran to the top of their Asian World Cup qualifying group ahead of South Korea make Queiroz an obvious choice.

But cash will be the problem. Carlos Alberto Perreira was on a reputed R10m a year, Pitso on about R8m and Gordon on around R6m. As I understand it, Queiroz earns $12m a year with Iran. He knows and likes Roger de Sa and would probably work with him – assuming Iran have a tough time in Brazil.

But if the Iranians fall in love with Queiroz over the next six weeks and they achieve the unthinkable by qualifying for the knock-out stages, will he REALLY be tempted? How much contact has already been made, since I first saw Carlos with Danny during CHAN?

These questions will be answered in time. But not before the World Cup is over in July. That leaves precious little time for preparation before an AFCON 2015 qualifying group which features Nigeria, Sudan and probably Libya.

Many feel Igesund should have been retained. That he did the best he could - like those last two draws Down Under against Australia and New Zealand.

But the truth is, Igesund DIDN’T DO WHAT HE PROMISED. He didn’t groom young players when it mattered, he didn’t build relationships with local and foreign clubs (he suffered a plethora of withdrawals when he announced his final squad), he relied on ‘contacts’ to tell him if foreign youngsters were performing.

Gordon will no doubt return to the PSL and achieve success with a mid-ranking side like Moroka Swallows or SuperSport United. I’d even suggest he’s a better fit with Orlando Pirates than Vladimir Vermecovic.

But Gordon, you just weren’t cut out for international management. You failed on every front. It’s time for a brave new world. Let’s hope Danny Jordaan and his National Executive can provide us with something better over the coming weeks.

Don’t hold your breath.

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.

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.

FULL LIST OF FORMER BAFANA COACHES
23 in 22 years
(including caretakers/interim appointments)

Stanley "Screamer" Tshabalala (1992)

Ephraim "Shakes" Mashaba (1992)

Augusto Palacios (1993)

Clive "The Dog" Barker (1994–97)

Jomo Sono (1998)

Philippe Troussier (1998)

Trott Moloto (1998–00)

Carlos Queiroz (2000–02)

Ephraim "Shakes" Mashaba (2001)

Trott Moloto (2002)

Jomo Sono (2002)

Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba (2002–03)

Jomo Sono (2003)

April Phumo (2004)

Stuart Baxter (2004–05)

Ted Dumitru (2005–06)

Pitso Mosimane (2006)

Carlos Alberto Parreira (2007–08)

Joel Santana (2008–09)

Carlos Alberto Parreira (2009–10)

Pitso Mosimane (2010–12)

Steve Komphela (2012)

Gordon Igesund (2012–2014)

THERE WILL BE NO MORE LAUGHING IN THE STUDIO: RIP Isaac Ramaitsane "Shakes" Kungwane (2 February 1971 - 28 May 2014)

Can't believe he's gone: Shakes Kungwane

Stop the clocks on 90 minutes. End the turgid analysis. There will be no more laughing when a PSL game limps to half-time at 0-0. Shakes Kungwane is gone, at the age of 43.

Two weeks ago, the man I once called Isaac started feeling unwell. We thought it would pass. It didn't. After two days in intensive care, official news of his passing came this afternoon. Anybody who knew him just hoped it was another one of those social network rumours. It wasn't.

We will never see Kaizer Chiefs legend Shakes live in the studio again. The way he lit up those boring goalless clashes, always honest, never glib. The duo with former Mamelodi Sundowns star Zane Moosa was particularly sparky, usually resulting in both men breaking down in huge guffaws.

For me, Shakes was the go-to-guy. When interviewees were disappearing in droves on my Thursday morning show to attend training, I knew I could always rely on Shaaaaakes... not just for a chat but for a laugh, a bit of searing truth amid the guff so many spout about our beloved diski.

He wasn't like the rest. Careful to say the right thing, take the boring inoffensive way out. Shakes was pure kasi, he brought a knowledge, a depth I could never rival. When I addressed him as Isaac, he soon put me right: "Who's Isaac, Nealy?" He was a star who never accepted stardom. He would never leave Alexandra. He was always there for me, even when others turned their back.

On twitter, he never turned a fan away. He'd always respond, he'd always talk. He was superior to nobody while men with half his talent paraded around as unapproachable football and media stars.





I have a couple of interviews I can direct you towards.

There's this on Kingston Nkatha getting booed by Kaizer Chiefs fans last November: http://www.ballz.co.za/bollockz-neal-collins/shakes-kungwane-quotfans-should-not-booquot/2946 or this after Gordon Igesund's Bafana lost to Nigeria in the disastrous CHAN tournament http://neal-collins.blogspot.com/2013/08/shake-it-up-gordon-kungwane-calls-for.html.

Mark Fish and I will spend much of tomorrow morning's Soccerballz on www.ballz.co.za talking about the man, we'll try to get Zane and Kaizer Motaung Junior to join the mourning chorus but the thing is I CAN'T BELIEVE SHAKES IS GONE.


We'll miss you big man. You and your legendary left foot. And that booming laugh. We'll never see your like again.

Australia 1-1 South Africa: good result, but no need for a hero's welcome

Scorer: Ayanda Patosi

Gordon Igesund, take a bow. You failed at AFCON, you didn’t qualify for the World Cup, we were a laughing stock at CHAN and lost 5-0 to Brazil. But in Sydney yesterday, Bafana Bafana confounded Brazil-bound Australia.

A 1-1 draw against the Socceroos is not going to spark a hero’s parade at Oliver Tambo International but with New Zealand to come this week, it wasn’t a bad result given the circumstances.

Blitzed by withdrawals and heading towards the end of his contract, South Africa’s head coach gave Australia the worst possible send-off to the World Cup next month. They are drawn in something of a Group of Death with Chile first up, followed by the Netherlands and champions Spain, who haven’t lost a major tournament in three attempts.

If they can’t beat Bafana, with Thabo Nthethe and a grieving Tower Mathoho at the back, they are unlikely to get much out of that trio.

At this point, a special mention for Mulomowandau “Mouth of the Lion” Mathoho. While his multi-capped Kaizer Chiefs team-mates chose to take a holiday rather than representing the nation, our Tower chose to travel to Australia and when his cousin died he stayed to play in Sydney – he will return home today for the funeral.

That takes some guts. And Mathoho showed plenty of that as the Australians dominated the early exchanges. Senzo Meyiwa – watched by habitual No 1 Itumeleng Khune (he confirmed as much to me on twitter) – made six saves in the first 20 minutes and the Orlando Pirates stopper was excellent if unorthodox throughout.

His one mistake came just after Ayanada Patosi’s excellent curling goal for Bafana. Caught by a looping cross, he forgot just how high little Tim Cahill can jump. Bang, 1-1. Everton will confirm Cahill can confound with his head, despite his lack of height.

There was barely time to take a breath between the two goals which marked this final friendly for Australia. But there was plenty of time to take stock of Igesund’s new-look Bafana.

The stupid row with Igesund over Thulani Serero’s injury appears to have been forgotten. The Ajax Ere Divisie winner flew all the way Down Under and shone in midfield, where he will anchor South Africa’s engine room long after Gordon departs.

With Thuso Phala of SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns title-winner Hlompho Kekana quiet, Serero got through a lot of work – and took a look of heavy challenges – but emerged unbowed.

Igesund said: “The journey starts now. This is a competitive bunch of players, they will go places. 

"SAFA’s vision is to be No 3 in Africa and among the top 20 in the FIFA world rankings and these boys will play a major role in the realisation of that dream.

"This tour will mark the beginning of a new era in South African football.

“I am very excited with what I have seen from them in the few days we have been together. They are eager to learn and want to leave a lasting impression.

“I now hope to take this momentum to New Zealand and if they produce the same form, we will enter the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on a high. I have massive belief in this squad. The players have the right attitude, are talented and they know what they want.”

But let’s not fool ourselves. This was a good result for Bafana but not a great performance. Too often the ball was wasted in midfield, possession was lost far too easily – and despite the muscular efforts of Bournemouth’s Tokelo Rantie, there was no sign of a revival up front for South Africa’s blank-shooting strikers.

What we did see was that the great “legends” of Bafana – who spectacularly failed to achieve qualification for the World Cup despite Ethiopia being docked three points during qualifying – are not badly missed.

There is depth in South African football. And we have young talent like Siyanda Xulu at Rostov, Peterborough’s Kagiso Nthle and AmaTuks Buhle Makhwanazi still to come.

So there is light at the end of the Bafana tunnel, whether Igesund departs when his contract expires in August or not. But for Australia? I won’t be betting on them in Brazil!