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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
THE world comes to a literal standstill tonight when the 20th Fifa World Cup roars into life in the city of Sao Paulo in Brazil with the hosts taking on Croatia.The match is at 10PM Zimbabwean time.
It will mark the first of the 64 matches that will get the entire world focused on Brazil as they wait to see which of the 32 teams, including Africa’s Big Five, will walk from the dugout of Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, for the final of the 2014 World Cup.
Questions are already out whether it will be hosts Brazil, holders Spain or this time around football’s biggest tournament will witness an African team coming back home with the trophy.
Of the 32 teams in Brazil, the hosts have won the trophy a record five times, Italy (four), Germany (thrice), Argentina (twice), Uruguay (twice) while France, Spain and England have won it once each.
The tournament was not played in 1942 and 1946 due to the Second World War.
Chronicle Sport caught up with soccer personalities who were good players in their own right to hear their views and opinions on which teams they think will have a chance and the players that might leave a legacy.
Former Zimbabwe Saints, Dynamos and Warriors forward Agent “Ajira” Sawu predicted a very tough tournament but said Brazil as hosts are likely to pull through.
“To say they will eventually lift the World Cup is a bit tricky but I certainly expect them to progress through to the semi-finals,” said Sawu who also plied his trade in China, Switzerland and South Africa.
He said countries like holders Spain and three-time winners Germany are always tricky and unpredictable customers who can be ignored at one’s own peril.
“From our continent I would want to believe Nigeria has what it takes. Cote d’Ivoire have quality but ageing players and yes, they may come up with a few surprises but personally I would not put my money on them,” said Sawu, a terrific forward in his hey days whose scoring prowess shocked a then seemingly invincible Cameroon at the National Sports Stadium in a World Cup qualifier.
Also going for the hosts was former Dynamos and now FC Platinum coach Lloyd Mutasa who predicted an exciting month of football.
“Personally I support Brazil and Spain and my inner feeling tells me that they will go all the way but the journey will be rough. The tournament looks set to be exciting and I have also realised that everytime we have the World Cup, our own local game also improves,” said Mutasa.
From the five African representatives, Mutasa tipped Ghana to emerge as the best side from the continent but also noted that they are in a difficult group.
Ghana are in Group G with Portugal, Germany and the US.
“It’s a pity that Ghana are in a tough group but that can be a motivating factor on its own if they manage to pull through,” said Mutasa.
On players that are likely to leave a mark at the tournament, Mutasa said Liverpool and England’s Raheem Sterling could be the player to surprise many.
Bantu Rovers coach and former Highlanders star midfielder Methembe Ndlovu put his money on Spain.
“From my style of play, I am going with Spain. I must however contend that it’s hard to win a big tournament like the World Cup twice in a row, you need the hunger to succeed and that is hard to come from a side that has won the Uefa Championship and the World Cup,” said Ndlovu.
He predicted an all South American final between hosts Brazil and Argentina.
Like Mutasa, the Bantu Rovers mentor is tipping Ghana to be the best African representatives “if they make it through the group stages.”
“On individual players I think Brazil’s Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, commonly known as Neymar, I also believe Argentina’s Lionel Messi will step up and rise to the occasion although people have been rather harsh on him in terms of national team performance,” said Ndlovu.
Four-time championship winning former Highlanders player Gift Lunga Jnr said he will put his money on hosts Brazil while going with Nigeria from the African continent.
“It’s natural for Brazil to go through, they have the quality and zeal while in Africa I think Nigeria, if they get past their group, will be the best continental side,” said Lunga.
He tipped Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar to set the stage alight.
Prolific goal poacher during his heydays at Highlanders and former Soccer Star of the Year, Zenzo Moyo, said perennial under- achievers England will shock the world this time around.
“England have about eight or so young players who are eager to prove a point or two and for that, they might be a silent assassin,” said Moyo who also tipped ageing Cote d’Ivoire to live true to the old adage, the last kicks of a dying horse are dangerous.
“Brazil as hosts are ever under pressure and if they fail to contain that, then it might be hard for them,” said Moyo.
He said Ghana’s Ayew brothers, Andre and Jordan are going to set Brazil alight.
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