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The prophecy

The prophecy

When history starts repeating itself, you just have to know your history.

 -In 1995 we had Francois Pienaar. In 2010 we have Steven Pienaar.
- In 1995 we had Madiba. In 2010 we have Madiba.
- In 1995 the coach got the job less than a year before the World Cup. In 2010 the coach got the job less than a year before the World Cup.
- In 1995 we had the fittest team. In 2010 we have the fittest team.
- In 1995 Tommie Laubscher was cut from the squad for being overweight. In 2010, Benni McCarthy was cut from the squad for being overweight.
- In 1995, the team's slogan was One Team One Country. In 2010, the Bulls turned that slogan into visual reality days before the World Cup.
- In 1995, nobody gave us a chance but we won. In 2010, nobody gives us a chance but we'll win.

Morgan Freeman might as well start measuring up for a Bafana shirt because he's wearing one in the final scene of Invictus 2 (with Will Smith's laaitie playing Steven Pienaar and Robert de Niro playing Coach Parreira.)

SA v Mexico, 11 June 2010 (Soccer City)
The vuvuzela-shocked Mexicans can only watch as Killer Mphela grabs two early goals. Steven Pienaar rules the midfield. Bernard Parker stuns with another trademark bullet from 30m out. Khune is only called upon once to make a breathtaking save. Bafana wins 3-0.

SA v Uruguay, 16 June 2010 (Pretoria)
Loftus returns the Orlando Stadium favour by offering some magic of its own. Uruguay has no answers as Bafana win conincingly, 2-0.

SA v France, 22 June 2010 (Bloemfontein)
It rains heavily like in the '95 semifinal against France. This one also goes down to the wire. A Thierry Henry goal is dubiously disallowed for offside (think Benazzi). Khune makes two stunning saves. Pienaar gets the winner after a clever one-two with Parker.

SA v Nigeria, 26 June 2010 (Round of 16, Port Elizabeth)
The Super Eagles are made to look ordinary as Steven Pienaar scores the first and sets up Mphela for the second.

SA v England, 2 July 2010 (Quarter Final, Soccer City)
Wayne Rooney is twice denied by the brilliant Khune.  The match goes to extra time before the English-named South African, Bernard Parker steals it with another screamer from just outside the box.

SA v Holland, 6 July 2010 (Semi Final, Cape Town)
Quite poetically, Bafana meets Holland in the city known for a majestic mountain that got its name from a certain Dutchman. The Orange Army threatens throughout, but it's Mphela who scores the winner late in the second half.  Bafana is in the final.

SA v Spain, 11 July 2010 (Soccer City)
The Spanish players, including Torres, look bewildered and pale. It's as if they know that destiny has been written, and clearly not in Spanish. Somehow Torres manages to score the first goal. Bafana surges forward at every opportunity with Mphela, Pienaar and Parker all scoring. It ends 3-1 and South Africa wins the World Cup.

Take cover my fellow South Africans, lightning is about to strike twice in our own backyard.

Footnotes:
Steven Pienaar - Player of the Tournament
Itumeleng Khune - Keeper of the Tournamen
Killer Mphela - Most Goals in the Tournament

Liverpool signs Sipiwe Tshabalala. Manchester United bags Khune to replace the aging Edwin van der Saar. Killer Mphela goes to Chelsea. Bongani Khumolo signs for Arsenal.

- Do you have something to say about the World Cup? Click here to submit your My2010 articles.

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