Growing optimism about Bafana's 2010 chances

Carlos Alberto Parreira, the Bafana Bafana coach

An SABC/Markinor survey has revealed that more than a third of the people interviewed believe Bafana Bafana have a good chance of reaching the quarter-finals of 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Bafana Bafana could not even qualify for last year's global showpiece in Germany, yet less than 12 months later two out of every five South Africans believe the knockout stages at the next World Cup tournament are within their grasp. Almost 47% of black people back the national team to reach the quarter-finals with young South African adults having the most faith in Bafana Bafana.

Eugene Zwane, a former professional player, says looking at what happened in history it's realistic and it's achievable especially if people could look at what Korea achieved just a few years ago. He says if one looks at what Bafana achieved in 1996 nobody could have imagined that they would win the cup in 1996, just a few years after readmission. The population's change in attitude is significant and comes despite the national team's poor run of form.

Zwane says they have seen the establishment of the commercial wing and all the resources that are being put into it. "These are signs that things are beginning to change and South Africa has time between now and 2010 to make sure that those changes are effective and that positive results are delivered," he says.

The majority South Africans also believe South Africa will host a successful World Cup. Only 23% are less optimistic.