The Road to South Africa

As hosts, South Africa did not need to qualify, although if they had it might have been questionable whether they would have made it all. They did not qualify for this year's Africa Cup of Nations and five of their six qualifiers produced a total of one goal. Yes, they did make the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup on their own soil last year but again they were only required to beat New Zealand to get there. The friendlies since Parreira took over as coach in November have not been convincing – three draws and one victory, although the coach is relying on work done in training camps at home and in Brazil and Germany to pay off.

The Star Players

Thomas Sorensen (Stoke) A worthy successor to Peter Schmeichel and renowned in the Premier League as one of the most consistent savers of a penalty in the game. Sorensen enjoyed highly successful times at both Sunderland and Aston Villa until he fell out of favour with manager, Martin O'Neill, and moved to Stoke.

Daniel Agger (Liverpool) At the age of 20, he was good enough to tame Wayne Rooney as England were torn apart 4-1 in Copenhagen and but for constant injury, Agger would have proved that he was the best defender Denmark has produced. Given that he has a powerful shot, his tally of international goals is disappointing.

Daniel Jensen (Werder Bremen) Perhaps no goal was more crucial to Denmark's chances of qualification that the stoppage-time winner that Jensen scored in Lisbon to give the Danes a dramatic 3-2 win over Portugal. His career in midfield has flourished at Werder Bremen and he possesses the experience and solidity Morten Olsen's side require.

The Coach

Carlos Alberto Parreira Having guided Brazil to the trophy in 1994, this is a man who understands what it takes to win a World Cup. Parreira also has the distinction of taking five different countries to a World Cup final, beginning with Kuwait in 1982 and taking in the United Arab Emirates in 1990, Saudi Arabia eight years later and now the Bafana Bafana. He had been identified as the man to lead South Africa into the World Cup but resigned in 2008 to return to Brazil to care for his sick wife. His reappointment in November did not produce the expected upsurge in performance but he is unlikely to be fired midway through a tournament as he was by Saudi Arabia in 1998.

Honours

World Cup: Group stages 1998, 2002
Confederations Cup: semi-finalists 2009
Africa Cup of Nations: winners 1996, finalists 1998

Analysis

Carlos Alberto Parreira has a thing about France. It was after a 4-0 defeat in Paris when in charge of Saudi Arabia that he became only the second coach ever to be fired midway through a tournament. Eight years later, when on his second stint managing Brazil, they beat him again in the quarter-finals in Frankfurt. The pain would have been altogether greater. South Africa’s final group match, and perhaps their last in this World Cup pitches them against the French in Bloemfontein. Should they require anything other than a draw it would be hard to see the Bafana Bafana progress. However, it is the opening game, against Mexico, in Soccer City, that should hold the key to their progress. Should South Africa come through it, then they might have the momentum to surprise a few commentators.

Verdict

Squad (2/5)
Quite frankly, it is not good enough and the split between home-based and foreign players might become wider if things do not go according to plan.

Coach (4/5)
The South African FA cannot argue with Perreira’s experience or his CV but although he was long identified as the man to oversee the tournament, little that has happened since his reappointment has been encouraging.

Attack (2/5)
In the absence of Benni McCarthy, whom Perreira deemed surplus to requirements, it would be hard to see where that extra bit of class is to come from. In failing to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations, they beat only Equatorial Guinea.

Defence (2.5/5)
Parreira was criticised in Brazil for being a cautious manager but in the back four and defensive midfield he at least has something to be cautious with. This is a defence with a bit of grit about it.