Group A Predictions and Analysis

On Friday, South Africa will have the world's eyes look upon Soccer City and witness as South Africa entertains the Mexican National Team as the opening game of the World Cup. The following is an analysis of Group A

France (seed)
France made it to the World Cup on the back of a major controversy, and had a dismal, if not horrendous qualifying campaign. Public approval for Raymond Domenech is low, with the FFF already having named his successor in the form of Laurent Blanc, successful coach of Girodins Bordeaux.

SQUAD: Domenech caused controversy in his squad by leaving out Samir Nasri (creative midfielder/wing), Karim Benzema (forward), and Patrick Viera (defensive midfielder). These omissions will surely determine if Domenech picked correctly, with midfield responsibilities being placed on Yoann Gourcuff, midfielder for Bordeaux. Lass Diarra is out of the WC due to a stomach virus and the aging central defender William Gallas will be sure to prove a scapegoat should his defense be pierced.

An aging forward line of Thierry Henry, Djibril Cisse will be scrutinized, with the attacking responsibilities be placed on Nicolas Anelka, in form this year with Chelsea, and Frank Ribery (coming off an injury ridden season with Bayern Munchen).

Players to Watch:
Yoann Gourcuff

Predictions for France:
France will not qualify unless they win every game in their group, simply said.

Mexico
Mexico has a strong chance to classify out of their group. After a roller coaster qualifying campaign in which Sven Goran Erikkson was sacked for insufficient results, Javier Aguirre (fmr. Atletico Madrid coach) took over, instilled discipline and brought about qualification.

SQUAD: Aguirre caused controvery by not calling up Barcelona starlet Jonathon Dos Santos, younger brother to Mexican starter Gio Dos Santos. Aguirre, however, has a healthy amount of players to rely on. Andres Guardado (Depor), Giovani Dos Santos (Ipswich), Cuahetolmec Blanco (Chicago Fire), Carlos Vela (Arsenal) and Javier Hernandez (Manchester United) will be given the reins to lead the Tricolor attack. Rafael Marquez will be given main defensive responsibilities as rock for the back line.

Player(s) to Watch:
Javier Hernandez

Prediction:
Mexico has all the makings to win Group A handedly. Games against France and Uruguay are key.

Uruguay
Uruguay is erratic, yet they are capable of causing a stir this year. A former perennial presence in the World Cup, they missed out in 2006 after losing to Australia in a heartbreaker on Aussie soil. However, this year Uruguay comes in a different mode and scheme. They have a variety of forwards in their arsenal, from prolific goalscorer and two time Pichichi Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid), to lanky versatile Sebastian Abreu (Botafogo), to pacy forward Christian Suarez (Ajax). The defense can be shaky, Godin (Villareal) is assured at time but has relapses, and Martin Caceres (Juventus) was highly erratic at times last season.

Player to Watch:
Diego Forlan & Cristian Suarez

Predictions:
Uruguay need to win crucial games against rivals Mexico and France, and can take it easy against South Africa.

South Africa
The Bafana Bafana are underdogs in the group and must work hard to lose the title, their fans being the main reason should they pull out of Group A. Pienaar has done a great job at Everton this season, and after last year's Confederation's Cup, the world had seen a South African team capable of standing up to the might of Spain, Brazil, etc. Not much is known of the South African team, except their lightning fast counters are their biggest threats. Coupled with the ultra defensive style they institute at times, it will be interesting to see from where the goals arrive from.

Players to Watch:
Steven Pienaar & MacBeth Sibaya

Predictions:
If South Africa have not lost their ferocity since last year's Confederations Cup, a successful run out of Group A is possible.

FINAL PREDICTIONS FROM 90 Minutes & More on GROUP A:

1. Mexico
2. Uruguay
3. South Africa
4. France


OPINION: Should South Africa not make it out of the Group stages, this World Cup will be seen as a failure for Africa in some way.

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