Tough task for South Africa

If South Africa was hoping for an easy passage in next summer's World Cup, Lady Luck was in an unforgiving humour.

The host nation, a winner already for having been successful in claiming the right to host the contest — the first African country to do so — will have a tough road ahead of it.

Ranked 86th in Fifa's rankings, South Africa will face off against Mexico in the opening game of the contest. At least they will have 87,000 enthusiastic home supporters behind them. But things don't get any easier — they must then face Uruguay and France in qualifying group games. South Africa may have to resort to some tactics from the French playbook — hand ball is seemingly an acceptable way to win for the French — if they are to prevail.

England face Algeria in their opening game, and have a rather easy group facing the United States and Slovenia. But the English always seem to find a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory when it comes to putting their many words into action on the football field. A field of screams, not a field of dreams.

Luck has also deserted Brazil. They must face off against Portugal and Ivory Coast, with North Korea presumably the also-rans in Group G.

Spain also face an easy group — paired with Switzerland, Honduras and Chile. Perhaps now is the time for Spain to make a serious bid for their first World Cup title.

Come June 11, the greatest show on Earth begins. May the best team win.