Who will stop France in Group A?

| Thursday April 1, 2010 00:00

South AfricaThe South Africans qualified by virtue of being hosts. They are the first-ever African country to host the World Cup and there is optimism that they might reach the second round for the first time. They first participated at the World Cup in France in 1998 and then South Korea/Japan four years later. However, on both occasions, they failed to go beyond the group stages. The South Africans are on a slump, having failed to qualify for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 1996.

Their best player is Steven Pienaar who has been in good form for his English side, Everton. Big forward, Benni McCathy will also be key in their quest to qualify for the second round although it will be a tough task against some of the world's best soccer nations. Their worst defeat was the 4-0 drubbing at the hands of France in their debut match in 1998 while their only win came in 2002 when they defeated Slovenia 1-0.

Coach, Carlos Alberto Parreira is a former World Cup winner with Brazil and brings the necessary technical expertise. But it will be tough for South Africa to proceed beyond the group stages given the pedigree of their opponents. Bafana Bafana are the lowest ranked team in the group at number 88.

ProfileCountry population: 48.7 millionFIFA ranking: 88Nickname: Bafana BafanaWorld Cup appearances: Two times 1998, 2002Best performance: Group stages (1998, 2002)Qualification: Automatic (as hosts)Key players: Steven Pienaar (Everton, England), Benni McCathy (West Ham United, England)Coach: Alberto Parreira

MexicoThey will be among the favourites to proceed from this group. The Mexicans, with their colourful brand of supporters, did not have it easy during the qualifying rounds. The turbulent qualifiers saw Swede Sven-Goran Erikson lose his job to be replaced by Javier Aguirre, who is held in high esteem in Mexico. He managed to steady the ship and the North Americans qualified in second place behind USA. It will be a fifth consecutive appearance at the finals and 14th overall since the tournament's inception. Their best achievement has been reaching the last eight in 1970 and 1986. On both occasions, they hosted the event. The Mexicans have not performed to their strength in the last four appearances, bowing out in the last 16. Veteran player, Cuauhtemoc Blanco who turned around their fortunes in the qualifiers hold the key to their progress to the next round.

ProfileCountry population: 111 million FIFA ranking: 17Nickname: El TriWorld Cup appearances: 14 timesBest performance: Last eight (1970, 1986)Qualification: Second behind USA in the CONCACAF zoneKey players: Rafael Marquez, Cuauhtemoc BlancoCoach: Javier Aguirre

UruguayThe inaugural World Cup champions are ranked 18th in the World, just one place below Mexico. They have a rich history but their success is fading memory. The South Americans have made only two appearances in the last five World Cups. They had to go through the play-offs to qualify after faltering in South America's fiercely contested 10-nation group. Despite their qualification route, they cannot be taken lightly, although they are no longer a potent force. Their best known player is probably Atletico Madrid's Diego Forlan. They have a tenacious captain in Diego Lugano who is expected to inspire a relatively young side. The team is coached by Oscar Tabarez who is in his second stint after taking Uruguay to the last 16 in Italy in 1990.

ProfileCountry population: 3.5 millionFIFA ranking: 18Nickname: La CelesteWorld Cup appearances: 11 timesBest performance: Winners 1930Qualification: Play-offs beating Costa Ric 2-1 on aggregateKey players: Diego Forlan, Diego LuganoCoach: Oscar Tabarez

FranceLaden with talent, the 1998 champions were disappointing in the qualification campaign. They made it after a controversial play-off against Ireland in which Barcelona forward, Thierry Henry handled the ball before crossing to William Gallas to score the winner. There was uproar but the result was upheld. France coach, Raymond Domenech came under criticism even from the players but has held on. France were finalists in the last edition in Germany and would want to raise their hands and be counted among the best by continuing with their fine showing since their 1998 triumph.The Les Bleus will be favoured to go through if one looks at the talent at their disposal. France will have to learn to play as a team and show the commitment that was displayed by the Class of 1998 if they are to prosper in South Africa.

ProfileCountry population: 62 millionFIFA ranking: 8Nickname: Les BleusWorld cup appearances: 12 timesBest performance: Winners 1998Qualification: Play-offs against Ireland won 2-1 on aggregateKey players: Frank Ribery (Bayern Munich), Thierry Henry (Barcelona)Coach: Raymond Domenech

Additional information: FIFA.COM