WORLD CUP 2010

Former Coach of the German machine, Jurgen Klinsmann has tipped Germany for glory at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, and claimed the insecurity over the future of current coach Joachim Low, his successor, will not affect the players.

A group of Bafana Bafana players left the country Monday for Brazil in high spirit ahead of their one-month camp that starts this week. 

FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke admits he hopes the decision to shut the door on goal-line technology does not come back to haunt him in the World Cup final. 

The World Cup Mexican tour began in Guadalajara, where the Coca-Cola plane was received with mariachis and percussionists in a fusion of Mexican and African rhythms.

Genoa President Enrico Preziosi would much prefer to see Palermo striker Fabrizio Miccoli go to the World Cup than Inter’s Mario Balotelli.

England and Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney will pick up a mammoth £500,000 bonus if he emerges top scorer from the 2010 World Cup, the News of the World has reported.

Japan experienced midfielder, Shunsuke Nakamura feels Japan have what it takes to meet head coach Takeshi Okada’s expectations.

CAMEROON coach Paul LeGuen said he would seek to sign an extension to his contract after helping the Indomitable Lions secure an African record sixth World Cup finals appearance. Le Guen successfully transformed Cameroon’s fortunes, and will now take them to the World Cup finals.

UKRAINE had the most to be pleased about after the first leg of their FIFA World Cup play-off with Greece ended goalless in Athens. Neither side created many chances but the visitors claimed a result that leaves them slight favourites to progress to South Africa next summer.

IRELAND must end a barren run of 22 years without an away win over high-ranked rivals if they are to claw back a 1-0 World Cup playoff deficit against France on Wednesday and reach next year’s finals. Manager Giovanni Trapattoni rated his side’s chances as “50-50” in Paris after Saturday’s defeat in Dublin.