Bafana have reason to hope at Fifa World Cup - Andy Townsend
25LJSS Andy Townsend believes South Africa has a chance to surprise at the Fifa World Cup in the USA and Mexico due to the new 48-team format, despite their recent Africa Cup of Nations exit. Picture: BackpagePix
Image: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Former Chelsea and current Premier League pundit Andy Townsend believes there’s every chance that Bafana Bafana can pull off a surprise at the Fifa World Cup in the USA and Mexico later this year.
The quadrennial showpiece begins on June 11, and South Africa will be involved in the opening game against co-hosts Mexico in Group A.
South Korea is also in the same group, with the fourth member still to be determined.
With the new format featuring 48 teams up from 32, Townsend believes teams like Bafana can’t be written off.
Townsend Discusses South Africa’s Potential in New World Cup Format
“South Africa can benefit from the new format, but it remains to be seen how this is going to pan out. I respect the opportunity for nations like South Africa to take part, but you have to earn that. Unfortunately, it's always been the case that the dark horses for the tournament are going to find it exceptionally difficult,” Townsend told Andy’s Bet Club.
"I don't like 'gimmes' at World Cups. I remember back in 1990, there were The Netherlands, Ireland, and England that all went through from that group of death. I can't remember how the permutations worked, but the three of us all went through.”
Bafana’s exit in the first knockout round at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) earlier this year would not have helped though. Despite that poor showing, there was no reason not to be optimistic at the main event, believed Townsend.
"I think it means for teams like South Africa, they haven't got to be unrealistic with their expectations. If they win one game, it could be enough potentially, depending on how the other groups fare, it could be enough to get you through. World Cups have always produced an unexpected result. Senegal against France in 2002, for example.
"There's always been matches like that in World Cups where something comes out which you wouldn't have expected. Good luck to some of those teams. With 48 teams, I hope we don't get too many dead rubbers going into the last matches."