South Africa's Tshabalala

The South American teams have all started well as I had expected. Climatic conditions suit them and they are showing that they are the teams to beat. The Africans, Asian and Oceanic teams have shown tactical improvements and have acquitted themselves well. The CONCACAF teams are proving hard to beat. We have come of age. For the most part the Europeans have suffered mixed results, which I had expected. They never seem to travel well.

The best first round performance came from Germany, but I fear that their passage to the final four will still prove difficult. Argentina, led by world player of the year Lionel Messi ‘The Messiah,’ has shown that they will be around at the finish, despite showing weakness in defense.

Brazil showed enough all-round qualities to remain my favorite. Brazil’s wing defenders, Maicon and Bastos were outstanding. Netherlands has also shown that they are capable of producing high quality performance. They may yet launch an unexpected title run, considering that playing at such high altitude and under the prevailing weather conditions may not be in their favor.

Spain has started out showing what continues to be their inability to shine on the big occasion. They are finding it difficult to adjust to the climatic conditions and most of all, the high altitude of South Africa. Their style of play requires a lot of off the ball movements and the altitude is taking its toll. They will need to quickly adjust their style of play and become more direct in attack or begin to pack their bags. I predict a second round exit. My original prediction of Spain as a top four finisher doesn’t seem valid any longer. It will be sad to see such talents exit early.

England and France have shown little or no imagination, nor any form of team chemistry. The departure lounges of South Africa await both teams.

Italy, the usual slow starters, will find it difficult moving beyond the second round stage of the competition. They lack that outstanding midfield player that brings creativity in attack.

The teams no one wants to meet in the second round are Mexico, Switzerland and North Korea. All these teams are used to playing at high altitudes and are adapting to the South African conditions.

The outstanding players after round one in the tournament, in my opinion, are Maicon,(Brazil) Messi,(Argentina), Robinho (Brazil), Lahm (Germany), Sneijder (Netherlands), Forlan (Uruguay), Enyeami - GK (Nigeria), Podolski (Germany) , Bastos (Brazil) and Elia (Netherlands).

The two best goals scored in the first round of matches came from the boots of South African, Tshabalala and Brazilian, Maicon.