South Africans have a new to team cheer on. Ghana’s providential progress to the round of 16 has spared the home fans of the headache of adopting a nation from outside their continent.

Danish supporters were bullish ahead of their team’s last 16 meeting with Japan on Thursday. “We are going to slaughter the Japanese,” crowed one. Yes, there was a slaughter at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium. But it wasn’t the “lambs” that perished as a Honda-powered Japan sent their supposed predators home in ignominy with a 3-1 win in Group E.

Anything less than three points against Chile on Friday will condemn Spain to an early flight home.

In the first half of the 20th century, wars whipped up nationalistic sentiments in many parts of the world.

Landon Donovan scored a dramatic stoppage time winner against Algeria here on Wednesday to send USA through to the second round as Group C winners in World Cup action here on Wednesday.

Nazeer Ahmed Cajee, the only non-white predator breeder in South Africa, ensures that tiger and lion cubs born at his farm are given the best care.
“They are like my children. The newborns spend two or three months at my home in Rustenburg. They sleep on my bed. I bottle feed them until they start drinking and e

Algeria, who are yet to find the back of the net from two matches in Group C, will face the USA at Pretoria on Wednesday in a match that is crucial for both teams. Three points against the Americans will make the African team a contender for a place in last 16.

Uruguay finished on top of Group A after they edged Mexico 1-0 here on Tuesday. Ajax forward Luis Suarez nodded in the winner two minutes before the break off a cross from Edinson Cavani at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium. Despite the loss, Mexico advanced to last 16 as runners-up.

With only a round to go in the preliminary stage, it’s time for two teams from each group to pack their bags. The matches on the home run will be intense, as only three teams — Argentina, Brazil and the Netherlands — have qualified, mathematically, to the round of 16. In some groups, all the four teams still have a chance of advancing to the pre-quarters.

Nothing is going right for the French in South Africa. Only French fries seem to be holding their own here. The Les Bleus have become a laughing stock after their players boycotted a training session on Sunday like a bunch of petulant primary school students.