Damn you, soccer fan self!
I'M PUMPED UP FOR THIS CUP TO THE EXTREME! So, to quell my anxious self, I decided to post profiles of the 32 teams! *A*
So today, we'll start with the hosts!
South Africa
Profile
Crest:
Association: South African Football Association
Nickname: Bafana Bafana (The Boys)
Head Coach: Carlos Alberto Parreira
Captain: Aaron Mokoena
History
Years ago, because of the apartheid policies, South Africa was banned from international competition - including World CUp - by FIFA from 1976 to 1992. South Africa's constitution prohibited racially mixed teams from competitive sport, and there's even a history about a brazilian team that was doing friendly games in Africa, in 1959. The three black athletes of Portuguesa Santista were prevented from landing in Cape Town. They only left the airport three days later, and again, before playing agaisnt a all-white team, they were told these athletes couldn't play. Angry, the team decided to withdraw and the brazilan president, Juscelino Kubitschek, made the first official manifestation of the government of Brazil against the South African regime...
Now, South Africa will be the first African nation to host a World Cup. They never had very expressive results in World Cups, but they sure played a tough match against Brazil in 2009' Confederations Cup! They'll sure fight for good results in their homeland, so let's watch out for these Boys! ;D
National Anthem
(Xhosa) Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika
Maluphakanyisw' uphondo lwayo,
(Zulu) Yizwa imithandazo yethu,
Nkosi sikelela, thina lusapho lwayo.Lord, bless Africa
May her spirit rise high up
Hear thou our prayers
Lord bless us.
(Sesotho) Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso,
O fedise dintwa le matshwenyeho,
O se boloke, O se boloke setjhaba sa heso,
Setjhaba sa, South Afrika - South Afrika.Lord, bless Africa
Banish wars and strife
Lord, bless our nation
Of South Africa.
(Afrikaans) Uit die blou van onse hemel,
Uit die diepte van ons see,
Oor ons ewige gebergtes,
Waar die kranse antwoord gee,Ringing out from our blue heavens
From our deep seas breaking round
Over everlasting mountains
Where the echoing crags resound...
(English) Sounds the call to come together,
And united we shall stand,
Let us live and strive for freedom,
In South Africa our land.
Star Player
Full name: Steven Pienaar
Date of birth: 17 March 1982 (1982-03-17) (age 28)
Place of birth: Johannesburg, South Africa
Playing position: Winger, Attacking Midfielder/Midfielder
I hope South Africa can go far this cup if only so I can see him more, teehee~
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So today, we'll start with the hosts!
South Africa
Profile
Crest:
Association: South African Football Association
Nickname: Bafana Bafana (The Boys)
Head Coach: Carlos Alberto Parreira
Captain: Aaron Mokoena
History
Years ago, because of the apartheid policies, South Africa was banned from international competition - including World CUp - by FIFA from 1976 to 1992. South Africa's constitution prohibited racially mixed teams from competitive sport, and there's even a history about a brazilian team that was doing friendly games in Africa, in 1959. The three black athletes of Portuguesa Santista were prevented from landing in Cape Town. They only left the airport three days later, and again, before playing agaisnt a all-white team, they were told these athletes couldn't play. Angry, the team decided to withdraw and the brazilan president, Juscelino Kubitschek, made the first official manifestation of the government of Brazil against the South African regime...
Now, South Africa will be the first African nation to host a World Cup. They never had very expressive results in World Cups, but they sure played a tough match against Brazil in 2009' Confederations Cup! They'll sure fight for good results in their homeland, so let's watch out for these Boys! ;D
National Anthem
(Xhosa) Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika
Maluphakanyisw' uphondo lwayo,
(Zulu) Yizwa imithandazo yethu,
Nkosi sikelela, thina lusapho lwayo.Lord, bless Africa
May her spirit rise high up
Hear thou our prayers
Lord bless us.
(Sesotho) Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso,
O fedise dintwa le matshwenyeho,
O se boloke, O se boloke setjhaba sa heso,
Setjhaba sa, South Afrika - South Afrika.Lord, bless Africa
Banish wars and strife
Lord, bless our nation
Of South Africa.
(Afrikaans) Uit die blou van onse hemel,
Uit die diepte van ons see,
Oor ons ewige gebergtes,
Waar die kranse antwoord gee,Ringing out from our blue heavens
From our deep seas breaking round
Over everlasting mountains
Where the echoing crags resound...
(English) Sounds the call to come together,
And united we shall stand,
Let us live and strive for freedom,
In South Africa our land.
Star Player
Full name: Steven Pienaar
Date of birth: 17 March 1982 (1982-03-17) (age 28)
Place of birth: Johannesburg, South Africa
Playing position: Winger, Attacking Midfielder/Midfielder
I hope South Africa can go far this cup if only so I can see him more, teehee~
Icons
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