Bafana’s 2010 captain Aaron Mokoena: Why Qatar World Cup is special
Bafana Bafana 2010 World Cup captain Aaron ‘Mbazo’ Mokoena has given his insight on what makes the ongoing Qatar edition special.
The former Blackburn Rovers defender Mokoena told FARPost that the Qatar World Cup has produced unthinkable shocks.
He said it was difficult predicting the eventual winner.
“It is a tough call as we have seen that this World Cup is surprising because teams that we thought would go through to the quarter finals and semifinals, such as Germany and Spain, are not there,” he said.
Mokoena, who is a coach for South Africa under-17 boys team participating at the COSAFA Championship in Malawi, then explained why the Qatar World Cup is special and surprising.
WHAT MAKES IT SURPRISING WORLD CUP
“It is a surprising World Cup that creates an awareness that every team that qualifies for the World Cup is good,” Mokoena said.
The former Cape Town City assistant coach said he had soft spot for the Netherlands and England as the favourites because he spent his career in these countries.
The 42-year-old Mokoena spent some seasons in the Netherlands at Ajax Amsterdam from the year 2001.
“My heart was with a few teams. I have played in the Netherlands and England and if I would go with my heart, I would go for these,” Mokoena said before England and Netherlands’ quarterfinal losses.
“ [Additionally] Brazil had shown that they were not a one-man team. Neymar got injured and they kept winning. Portugal put Ronaldo on the bench and they still won.”
WORLD CUP PRODUCES MANY SHOCKS IN QATAR
However, Argentina knocked out the Netherland on post-match penalties on Friday whereas France booted out England 2-1 on Saturday evening.
There were further shocks as Morocco stunned Portugal 1-0 on Saturday evening.
Less fancied Saudi Arabia also stunned Argentina after beating them 2-0 in the group stages.
Major shock emerged on Friday when Morocco beat Portugal featuring Cristiano Ronaldo from the bench.
The last-four picture has since emerged with Argentina taking on Croatia in the semifinal whereas Morocco date France.
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