The FIFA World Cup is upon us as it does every four years. This year would be no different. Every team, every nation from all continents, has high hopes about their chances of doing better than the last time. Even Spain, the defending champions, can do better by defending the cup, which they won for the first time here at our very own FNB Stadium.
It will be, as it has always been, the real battle of the cultures. Those who do not own their own culture in this game will be on their way before the end of the month. This Cup, the FIFA World Cup, is only for those who understand themselves. Those who are proud of who they are. Those, whose natural attributes are the basis of their game and style. Those, whose “language” is shared among them. Those, whose vision is born out of processes rather than events. Those, who have committed themselves to leave a legacy rather than make the legacy. Those are the teams that will leave Brazil with their heads held high.
The winners will lift the cup on Sunday July 13, but the battle was won 10 or so years ago (in the Youth Development Programs). It will be teams and countries that have over an extended period, worked tirelessly to produce the kind of a player who can express their feelings, desires, needs and expectations (not only by results but most importantly by application).
In each group there are teams that are expected to emerge after the first round. There are also teams that will surprise everyone (including themselves) if they stay beyond the first round, and Ghana and Nigeria, having embraced their African-ness are some of those teams. There also teams that can either survive the first round or go home and either way it will be no big deal. Theirs is just to add numbers!
This particular tournament in Brazil will reinforce the individual brilliance over the average performance output
In Group B, it will not be a surprise to have one of the 2010 finalists going home after the first round. Chile will be a difficult team to beat in Brazil. Contrary to what happened in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, teams from CONMEBOL will be the most difficult to beat. They will make full use of the environment and they will want to prove their territorial advantage over all other teams from other continents.
To this extent, it will not be a surprise to have an All CONMEBOL Final, come 13 July 2014. The kick-off times have added to this territorial feeling.
The favourites as we would expect will the hosts, Brazil, the defending Champions Spain, the ‘ever-there’ Germany and it would be very suicidal to leave Argentina out of this group. They are one team that can change the course of events in any given game and play on top of themselves. The fact that the tournament is hosted by their neighbours/rivals makes it more appetising for them. They would cherish the honour of winning the cup in Brazil more than just winning the World Cup itself. This factor could inspire them to play above themselves.
All countries that either play hybrid style/approach or have a foreign coach will be on their plane home long before the final is played.
The last 4 or maybe 8 teams will have a player or two who will be responsible for their progress in the tournament. Any team that depends on the average performance of all the players on the field will not stand any chance to lift this FIFA World in 2014. There are already a few candidates who have put their hands up to carry their teams. This particular tournament in Brazil will reinforce the individual brilliance over the average performance output.
Be ready to hear names like Messi, Iniesta, Neymar, Suarez, to name but 4 as the Star of the player of the tournament, come July 13.
My Predictions are as follows:
Group A – Brazil, Mexico
Group B – Spain, Chile
Group C – Colombia, Japan
Group D – Uruguay, Italy
Group E – E France, Ecuador
Group F – Argentina, Nigeria
Group G – Germany, Ghana
Group H – Russia, S Korea
I look forward to an all South American final: Brazil vs Argentina
By Zipho Dlangalala
Zipho Dlangalala is, professional football coach and development guru.
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– By Opinion: Zipho Dlangalala, Professional football coach and development guru
