South African president to visit team after crucial FIFA World Cup match

South African President Jacob Zuma will visit the South African national football team Bafana Bafana in their change room after their decisive match in Bloemfontein on Tuesday evening, whether they win or lose.

South Africa on Tuesday faced the very real prospect of being the first host nation to be eliminated from a FIFA World Cup in the opening round.

Depending on how the other group a match between Urugauy and Mexico progesses, Bafana may have to beat France by five goals just to stay in the tournament. Both matches will be palyed at the same time.

Although the French are unsettled by a player revolt over the expulsion of key player Nicolas Anelka, they are still tipped to win. France, ranked ninth in the world, were World Cup winners in 1998 and were ranked first in 2001 and 2002.

South Africa are ranked 83rd.

Zuma's spokesman Zizi Kodwa told the Cape Argus newspaper on Tuesday morning that the president is calm ahead of the match.

"No, he's not nervous, because we're already won as a nation, just by hosting this magnificent tournament," Kodwa said.

"At the end of the game, he will go down to the change room to see the boys, to speak to them personally. If they were to win it would be a bonus."

Kodwa said that Zuma would not meet the team privately before the game, because he did not want to put "extra pressure" on the players.

"They have enough pressure on them; the weight of the nation."

"But win or lose, the president believes they remain the pride of our nation."

Source:Xinhua

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