WC2010 review: South Africa

Bafana Bafana pleased the Rainbow Nation with their exuberant and enthusiastic performance at their home World Cup.

An opening match draw against Mexico was unexpected and whilst they were brushed aside by Uruguay 3-0 in their second outing, the 2-1 win over France was the highlight of their tournament.

The form of relative unknowns Katlego Mphela and Siphiwe Tshabalala was a huge positive and the teams style of play under Carlos Alberto Parreira certainly worked the South African fans into a frenzy in what can only be described as a encouraging display by the host nation.

Finished: 20th
Record: Wins – 1; Draws – 1; Losses – 1; Points – 4
Matches: Mexico (1-1), Uruguay (0-3),France (2-1)
Goals: 3
Against: 5

tribalfootball.com’s Star Man
Siphiwe Tshabalala (His enthusiasm was infectious and his performance was equally as impressive)

Official statistics

Minutes played
Aaron Mokoena 270
Katlego Mphela 270
Siphiwe Tshabalala 270
Bongani Khumalo 270

Top scorers
Siphiwe Tshabalala 1
Bongani Khumalo 1
Katlego Mphela 1

Total shots
Katlego Mphela 11
Siphiwe Tshabalala 6
Teko Modise 6
Steven Pienaar 6

Pass Completion Rate
Kagisho Dikgacoi 84%
Bongani Khumalo 82%
Steven Pienaar 79%
Tsepo Masilela 78%
Siboniso Gaxa 76%

Most Fouls
Steven Pienaar 10
Aaron Mokoena 6
Katlego Mphela 5
Tsepo Masilela 5

Yellow cards
Kagisho Dikgacoi 2
Tsepo Masilela 1
Steven Pienaar 1

Red cards
Itumeleng Khune 1

Saves
Moneeb Josephs 4
Itumeleng Khune 4