Cameroon became the first team to be knocked out of the World Cup after a 2-1 defeat to Denmark on Saturday, a result which also ensured Group E leaders Holland became the first country to reach the l

The dream is over, almost. South Africa’s hopes of advancing to the next round from Group A were dealt a serious blow after they lost to Uruguay 0-3 here on Wednesday.
The festive atmosphere at Loftus Versfeld Stadium failed to inspire South Africa. Bereft of imagination, the hosts never came close to scoring. Their first shot on goal, an innocuous one at that, came in the 68th minute.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi came to South Africa as a 23-year-old barrister in 1893 with little interest in politics, however within weeks of his arrival he was moved from a first-class berth in a train to third class despite holding a valid ticket. Outraged at the injustice meted out to him on the basis on his skin colour Gandhiji first sowed the seeds of his civil rights movement and passive resistance in the Rainbow Nation.

In a match that was punctuated by defensive solidarity, it was a lapse inside the penalty box that ensured a 1-0 win for Ghana over Serbia in their World Cup Group C opener at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium here on Sunday.

The World Cup Group D opener between Serbia and Ghana in Pretoria on Sunday is one that neither side can afford to lose, in a tough pool that also includes Germany and Australia.

Argentina blew hot and cold in their World Cup qualifiers but if Carlos Tevez has his way Diego Maradona’s men will go in all guns blazing in their Group B opener against Nigeria on Saturday.