 Given the huge task in front of them, all of South Africa is guardedly optimistic as their national soccer club, Bafana Bafana, prepares to participate in what is undoubtedly the most noteworthy competition in their brief history, not only playing in the 2010 FIFA World Cup but playing host to the entire world for this tournament as well! South Africa, by virtue of their role as host nation, automatically qualifies and although Bafana Bafana has had their share of recent disappointments, the South African national team has also shown that, with the proper goals and motivation, they can be a serious threat to any competitor. And really, is there any greater purpose or motivation than representing their country in the World Cup on home turf? It was in 1996, four years following their international soccer reinstatement, when South Africa catapulted to prominence as they stunned all of Africa by winning their inaugural CAF Africa Cup of Nations trophy against Tunisia at Soccer City in Johannesburg. Now, sixteen years later, South Africa's Bafana Bafana will return to the very site of that first major success, and with their sights set on rewriting the story, albeit on an even larger stage. As shown by South Africa's unexpectedly solid performance at the FIFA Confederations Cup last June, when they barely fell to Brazil in the semi-finals and to Spain in the third-place playoff, and as a startling reminder to those who feel Bafana Bafana is not a threat, when pushed to their potential, the South Africans are not to be underestimated. In a tournament which provided numerous impressive performances by the hosts, it was ultimately the national team's inability to convert precisely planned moves into goals which led to their defeat. It will be talented mid-field leader Steven Pienaar who takes control as South Africa's star asset. Given the absence of the country's most successful striker, Benni McCarthy, who remains out of favor, Pienaar will be looked upon to provide some much-needed innovation and imagination to this South African team. Since his arrival, Pienaar has recreated himself, while also having matured as an all-around player. While there are definitely drastically opposing opinions of him in his native country, everyone seems to be in agreement that the South African exudes confidence on the field, while having the ability to inspire Bafana Bafana's play.
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