Some stats and observations from the opening round of fixtures

• 25 goals in 16 games. Less than 2 goals a game!
• 4 red cards
• Biggest win was by Germany. 4-0 thumping of Australia
• Upset of the tournament so far: Switzerland beating the favourites Spain 1-0!
• Goal of the 1st round: It’s a toss up between Tshabalala’s break away goal against Mexico and Maicon’s goal for Brazil

Germany are looking really good after their win, alongside Brazil, Argentina and Holland who also racked up early wins. It’s still early days and the only team struggling is Spain. No team has ever lost their opening fixture and gone onto win the World Cup.

Expect more goals in the 2nd round of fixtures as teams try to make up for their earlier mistakes if they made any in hope of progressing to the last 16!

Australian keeper getting beaten. Again.

Second to that, Ghana beat Serbia 1-0 with a well taken penalty to give Africa its first win of the tournament! One thing to note in this game was the way to ref and linesman communicated to give the handball penalty. The ref never saw it, but with the intervention of the linesman over their walkie-talkie system, he was able to get the call correct.

Lastly, Slovenia beat Algeria 1-0 with another goalkeeping mistake. Looks like Group C is the group where the goalies are taking the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. One thing I must say is both Algeria and Slovenia look pretty ordinary and shouldn’t pose much of a threat to England. England just need to get their ducks in a row!

So that’s it for Day 3. Not too much excitement other than the 4 goal blitz of the Socceroos by Ze Germans.

So here is Day 2 of the 2010 World Cup as experienced by me:

South Korea vs Greece

• The South Korean’s, now called ninjas by myself, looked pretty impressive.
• That being said, Greece are useless, so maybe the ninjas still need to prove themselves.
• How bad are Greece? Still haven’t scored a goal in a World Cup.

Final score: 2-0 to the ninjas!

I didn’t catch much of the match as I had one eye on the rugby, with South Africa totally destroying France at Newlands in Cape Town.

Argentina vs Nigeria

• Messi has officially turned up at the World Cup. He, like Ronaldo, usually under perform when playing for their country, but today Messi was wearing his Barcelona boots.
• The Nigerian keeper, Enyeama, had a great game. It looked like the Messi vs Enyeama show and the winner on the night? Enyeama. How he managed to keep Messi from scoring only the footballing gods will know.
• How awesome is it to have the legendary Maradona at this World Cup? I’m telling you now he is wearing an Argentinian kit underneath his suit and if his team are down a goal with 5 minutes to play, I wouldn’t bet against him whipping off his suit Superman style and taking the field!
• Argentina are officially my 2nd favourite team to take the World Cup.
• Nigeria are a solid side, but I don’t see them offering much at this World Cup. I think the likes of Cameroon or Ivory Coast will have the best showing of an African nation.

Final score: Argentina 1 – 0 Nigeria

England vs USA

This was going to be a huge match for me. It’s the opening of England’s World Cup campaign and will be the only group match that I won’t be watching England live. The yanks look a decent side and definitely worthy of pulling of an upset in this World Cup.

We headed down to the V&A Waterfront to catch the game with throngs of US and English supporters at the make-shift Dubliner pub. The atmosphere inside was awesome and the English definitely know how to shut up the opposition supporters in song.

• England had their chances to win the game, but with the number of mistakes made (not only at the back) a draw seemed a fair result.
• Capello made some tough selection calls that back-fired. Milner was clearly not feeling well and subbed after 30min and King can’t finish 90 minutes of football. As a defender, that is a prerequisite!
• BP have actually employed Robert Green to plug the oil spill in the gulf. See how swimmingly well that is going?!
• Gerrard should of been made captain long time ago. He was all over the park, making tackles, attacking and even scored after 5 minutes.
• Heskey had a decent game, but once again has shown what a blunt pencil in front of goal he is. We need goalscorers up front. Why not play Rooney up front with Gerrard just off him?
• I love the England football supporters. So much pride and history instilled in all of them. I wish SA had more of a history in sport – although we busy creating it we speak!

Final score: England 1 – 1 USA.

One last thing. Do you wonder why Americans have this preconceived misconceptions about Africa and that animals roam wild in our streets and back yards? Blame idiots that tweet things like this:

“Thirty minutes before departure the police are going to check the route of the team bus to make sure it is clear of elephants.” – This was tweeted by the official US Soccer Twitter account. Unbelievable.

So day 2 was pretty action packed and with Sunday’s big game only being Germany vs Australia, I’ll make the next post short and sweet. :)

I’m not the best writer, so I’m going to struggle to express how I felt on the opening day of the World Cup, but I’ll try anyway. Cape Town honestly felt like another planet – I don’t think SA will ever experience such comradery, ‘gees’ and happiness like we did on the 11th of June 2010. It surely can’t be topped?! Streets lined with thousands of people singing, dancing and blowing vuvuzelas. Everyone was on such a buzz – me included!

I headed down to the V&A Waterfront to watch the opening ceremony and both games. The opening ceremony was a little bit of a let down, but I guess having it during the day meant you couldn’t make use of any lighting, which is one of the things that really makes them special. Not too worry though, Bafana definitely made up for it on their opening fixture against Mexico.

Bafana Bafana vs Mexico

SA almost had the perfect start to the World Cup with Tshabalala firing SA into the lead with what can only be called a spectacular goal! South Africans across the country erupted when that goal went in – I couldn’t contain the excitement!

With Mexico enjoying the lions share of the possession during the game, I knew that we would have to minimise our mistakes to hold on for the win and unfortunately a defensive lapse by our captain, Mokoena let the Mexican’s equalise. So 1-1 the game ended and out of the 4 teams in group A, Bafana are looking the strongest to go through!

Moment of the match: Our ninja goalkeeper, Khune, making that diving save minutes after we had scored. He is going to be the difference between us qualifying for the 2nd round. Mark my words!

Uruguay vs France

I knew quite a few people that went to go and watch this game live at Greenpoint Stadium. It finished a dull 0-0 draw with both sides having a couple of half chances to score. France, having qualified for the World Cup solely on luck, don’t look like posing any threat. They have a number of world class players, but can’t seem to find to play well as a team together.

Uruguay also don’t look that impressive either. One thing they will go into the record books for is picking up the first red card at the 2010 World Cup.

Moment of the match: Thierry Henry trying to claim a handball from the Uruguay defense. Pretty rich coming from him considering how his blatant handball that was the difference between France and Ireland qualifying for the World Cup!

So there you have it, my short and sweet experience of the opening day of the 2010 Soccer World Cup in South Africa!

The app has a number of different categories – eating out, entertainment, shopping, things to do and accommodation just to name a few. You won’t find a list of every single restaurant in Cape Town in the app, but what you will find is some of Cape Town’s favourite places. Almost like the best of the best!

Each listing has all the contact details, a decent review as well as a link to where its located that will open up Google maps. So no getting lost for you my international friends.

Cape Town Safari is free and is available now in the App store.

Disclaimer: Cape Realty is a client of World Wide Creative, who I’m associated with.

This is also something really close to home as my sister died because of a drunk driver. The scary thing is with accidents involving alcohol, the person that is drunk most of the time walks away from the accidents, leaving the completely innocent and sober people involved either dead or critically injured.

Castle are running a “Designated Driver” promotion this December. So whenever you go out with a bunch of mates, someone needs to take one for the team and not drink so that you all get home safe! In honour of this hero, Castle will be giving free soft drinks to the designated driver at venues where they are running the promotion. At the end of the night, they’ll take a breathalyser test and if you below the limit, you’ll get entered into the competition to win free cab rides for a year!

Download this PDF to find out where the Castle’s “Designated Driver” parties are happening around South Africa.

Lastly, please add SACAB‘s number to your cellphone: 08611 72222

So enjoy your holiday and drink as much as you want, just call a cab and get home safely.

In the video, we explain the basic rules of the draw as well as draw the balls to make up our very own World Cup. Watch the video below and make sure you check out the post on Free-kick.tv which explains all the rules as well as shows you which teams we picked into which groups.

Watch the video on Free-kick.tv here.

Jacob Zuma, who is almost guaranteed to be South Africa’s next president, has brought about this sudden shift in change and definitely has some South African’s are worried.

Am I worried? Not really.

Yes, Zuma doesn’t have the best of track records, but think for a second about Mbeki. He doesn’t think HIV causes Aids, is best friends with Bob Mugabe as well as says that there is absolutely no problems in Zimbabwe, did nothing about the corruption involved in the arms deal (probably because he or his friends are involved), didn’t take a big enough stance on the xenophobic attacks, doesn’t think crime is a problem in South Africa and generally is hardly ever here – always traveling and wining and dining with other world leaders.

So, I’m thinking good riddance, but in the same breath, wondering about how Zuma, when he becomes president, will react to these issues.

Then, I take a look at the MP’s that have resigned. The only guy that actually is worth anything is Trevor Manual and his spokesperson has come out as saying he is willing to serve under any role in the next government – so don’t be surprised if he isn’t back as our Finance Minister in a couple of months time.

The other MP resignations:

• Defence: Mosiuoa Lekota (can you smell arms deal?)
• Minister in the Presidency: Essop Pahad
• Intelligence: Ronnie Kasrils
• Correctional Services: Ngconde Balfour
• Public Enterprises: Alec Erwin (well done on the Eskom debacle)
• Science and Technology: Mosibudi Mangena
• Public Works: Thoko Didiza
• Provincial and Local Government: Sydney Mufamadi
• Public Service and Administration: Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi

Do any of these people inspire confidence in South Africa? I don’t think so. So once again, I say, good riddance.

Markets

What with all this news, the JSE and exchange rates are way down, but go do yourselves a favour and check the global markets. They down as well. Yes, our local markets are down because of all the instability at this time, but there is a bigger picture. (Have you also never seen the markets crash and recover before?)

For me, I’m pretty much staying positive about this whole situation. Time for some new faces, new policies and new leadership. For those of you that were thinking of immigrating overseas, today marks the day you have made up your mind and are leaving.

So are you staying positive about SA or are you telling anybody that will listen that we heading into the dump and are about to emigrate too?

What is Heritage Day?

Via Wikipedia:

Heritage Day, September 24, is a Public Holiday on which South Africans across the spectrum are encouraged to celebrate their cultural heritage and the diversity of their beliefs and traditions, in the wider context of a nation that belongs to all its people.

So go and celebrate being a South African and light a braai 4 heritage with your friends and family on the 24th of September!

The 2008 Olympics will run from the 8th to the 24th of August in Beijing, China. The main Olympics stadium is known as The Bird’s Nest and is truly magnificent!

Having a look at the 2004 Olympics held in Athens, Greece, here were the top 5 countries:

1. United States (36 / 39 / 28 = 103)
2. Russia (27 / 27 / 38 = 92)
3. China (32 / 17 / 14 = 63)
4. Australia (17 / 16 / 16 = 49)
5. Germany (13 / 16 / 20 = 49)

South Africa (1 / 3 / 2 = 6) ended 35th. But with only 1 gold, it was a pretty disappointing performance by our team. Having a look at our world class swimming team that are traveling to the 2008 Olympics, I’m sure we will see a few more gold medals. The swimming starts on the 9th of August and ends on the 17th.

Here is a pic of the medals that will be presented in Beijing:

Also, with all Olympics, there has to be mascots. The 2008 Olympics has the Fuwa – which means good-luck dolls as their official mascot. Their names are Bèibei, Jīngjing, Huānhuan, Yíngying and Nīni.

Go check out the Wikipedia article on the 2008 Beijing Olympics or visit the official site.