France and South Africa have outside shot

France and South Africa still have an outside chance to advance to the next round even though they only have one point each in Group A. However, to have any hope at all, they will need to pick up all three points when they meet each other at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on June 22.

South Africa is hoping to avoid becoming the first host team in World Cup history to get knocked out of the competition in the first round. However, a win still won’t guarantee them a place in the knockout stages if Mexico and Uruguay, the two group leaders, play to a draw. France is in the same boat as the maximum points they can achieve are four, while a draw between Mexico and Uruguay would give them five each.

South African midfielder Steven Pienaar said it would be a catastrophe if the team went out in the first round.

If Uruguay or Mexico loses and France or South Africa wins, this will cause a logjam in the table with two teams equal at four points for second place. The all important goal difference would then come into play. Uruguay have the edge at the moment with a plus 3 rating, while Mexico is plus 2, France is minus 2, and South Africa is minus 3. This means France or South Africa must also score a few goals to have any hope of advancing, while hoping Uruguay or Mexico get beaten by a few as well.

France and South Africa find themselves looking up from the bottom of the group after France drew 0-0 with Uruguay and lost 2-0 to Mexico. South Africa drew 1-1 with Mexico and were beaten 3-0 by Uruguay.
Even though France is ranked ninth in the world by FIFA and South Africa is 83rd, this could be a close game as the French squad is in disarray at the moment with striker Nicolas Anelka being sent home, the director of football, Jean-Louis Valentin, resigning, and the players at odds with each other and manager Raymond Domenech and refusing to train the other day. France has been playing bad enough lately without all of these distractions, so they certainly won’t help.

Valentin said the French situation is a scandal, for both the team and the country’s football federation. He added that it was unacceptable and he resigned because he was sickened and disgusted. Look for striker Thierry Henry to take Anelka’s spot in what may be his very last game for France. It’s likely it’ll also be Domenech’s last match as he will be replaced as manager by Laurent Blanc after the tournament. A lot of fans will be happy to see Domenech go, as the team hasn’t done much under him over the last few years.

Things are also looking bleak for the host nation as goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune is suspended for the game after being sent off against Uruguay. Midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi will also miss the match after receiving two yellow cards during the first two games. This means Moneeb Josephs should get the start in net for the South Africans and Surprise Moriri might fill in for Dikgacoi.

South Africa v France Odds and Predictions

The teams have played each other three times in the past with France winning two and drawing one.
A win here by either team likely won’t get them through, but look for South Africa to be the aggressor and squeak out a 2-1 victory. This gives you 8.50 at Bwin and 11.00 (+1000, 10/1) at Sportsbook.com (USA friendly)

William Hill has the odds of a win for France listed at 13/10, with a South African victory at 11/5 and a draw posted at 23/10.

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