Oranje will need more than Dutch courage to slay Samurai

It is one of the biggest mysteries,in the sporting world at least;right up there with the Bermuda Triangle! How is it that a team that delivers one mesmerizing performance after another at every world cup tournament ALWAYS walks away empty handed? If the Dutch were an African team, talk of witchcraft, abateesi, abayuuda, aba vumilia, abawujja obusepikki, would be flying in all corners; and before long, we would have a couple of sangomas concocting all sorts of herbs and rituals to appease the ancestral spirits and invoke good fortune upon the starting eleven.

Thankfully, this is a European team that seems to be above such superstitions. Their brand of total football is as delightful as it is enthralling. One of my friends calls the Netherlands the Arsenal of the World Cup (no prizes for guessing which team he supports in the premiership). Like the Gooners, the Dutch have perfected the art of exciting football, and leave many a fan breathless with anticipation only to stumble at the very last hurdle! There is nothing more painful for a die-hard Oranje fan like moir than the agony of unfulfilled promise! Seriously, why do they always choke whenever they are in sight of glory?

Which is why I'm not placing any premium on the win over Denmark in their opening game. I'm obviously chuffed that they are off to a flying start; and the win is bound to do wonders for their confidence and morale ahead of their next fixture. But I shall not be putting any champagne on ice yet, until we are well in to the semis, if indeed we make it that far. However, they will need more than Dutch courage to qualify for the second round, particularly so against the Blue Samurai whose late strike against the Cameroonians on Monday currently puts them at the top of Group E alongside Holland who are only ahead on goal difference!

Am I excited? YES! Am I worried? That too! But therein lies the magnetic pull that is football.. C'mon ye Oranje!

2010 FIFA WORLD CUP NEEDS A DOSE OF MAGIC, FAST!

The 2010 FIFA World cup is supposed to be the icing of all global footballing tournaments. This being the first competition to be held on African soil, it has been awaited with much pride and fanfare. Unfortunately, the reality has failed to live up to the fantasy of the last couple of months.

The tournament, at least from the games so far, is lacking in spills and thrills. The goals aren't flying into the nets as fast, or as ferocious as I expected. Indeed, a couple of times, I've found myself dozing through a number of games, and were it not for the love of football in general, would gladly have opted for the comfort of my bed.

Bafana Bafana's opening game was as frustrating as eating one of our local chicken - tasty, but very hard to swallow, and keep down. Madiba's boys left a sour taste in the mouth when they fluffed a myriad of chances that could have delivered not just one, but several blows to Mexico's chances of qualifying to the next round. Although the much touted Argentina-Nigeria match-up offered a few glimpses of footballing genius, it lacked that little bit of vava vooom to rave up the excitement a few notches higher.

The tournament, for me at least, has not yet begun. I'm still holding out for the special one, that one game that would take me on a magic carpet ride to football nirvana. Let me hope I wont have to wait for too long. It it time!