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The Bafana Bafana have opened the scoring in the 2010 FIFA World Cup with a stunning goal from Siphiwe Shabalala! It's South Africa 1-0 Mexico. Hosts South Africa have lined up in a 4-4-2 formation with Katlego Mphela leading the attack for the Bafana Bafana. Everton's Steven Pienaar will playing in the hole between midfield and attack. Mexican coach Javier Aguirre has opted for an attack minded 4-3-3 in the opening game. Manchester United signing Javier Hernandez has been named on the subs bench but is expected to make an appearance later in the match. Starting XIs South Africa: Itumeleng Khune, Siboniso Gaxa, Aaron Mokoena, Lucas Thwala, Bongani Khumalo, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Steven Pienaar, Teko Modise, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Dikgacoi, Katlego Mphela Subs: Moneeb Joseph, Tseop Masilela, Anele Ngcongca, Macbeth Sibaya, Lance Davids, Matthew Booth, Bernard Parker, Siyabonga Nomvethe, Surprise Moriri, Siyabonga Sangweni, Shu-Aib Walters, Thanduiyse Khuboni Mexico: Oscar Perez,

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez has rubbished his country's reputation as hatchet men ahead of their World Cup opener against France. Tabarez's side take on the 1998 champions in Group A at Cape Town's Green Point Stadium still with question marks over their discipline. The recent South American qualification campaign saw them amass 48 bookings and four red cards in 18 games. Indeed, attacking midfielder Cristian Rodriguez was omitted from Tabarez's squad as he is suspended for two matches following a dismissal in the final qualifier against Argentina. The 1930 and 1950 winners have earned a reputation for gamesmanship over the years through some memorably defensive and physical performances and courtesy of the likes of Paolo Montero, the notoriously aggressive former national team lynchpin. Tabarez insists it is unfair to stereotype his team, however. "I think almost all of the squads (in qualifying) had a number of red and yellow cards. Some, in fact, have far more

Ivory Coast have been boosted by the news that Didier Drogba has returned to training and could be fit for their World Cup opener. Drogba underwent surgery last weekend on a broken arm sustained in a friendly match and there were fears the Ivory Coast captain would be ruled out of the showpiece event. However, the 32-year-old was back in training with a light protective cast and coach Sven-Goran Eriksson believes he could now feature against Portugal on June 15. "If the match had been today or tomorrow, he wouldn't be able to play," he said. "But it's in a few days. He might play." Drogba is key to Ivory Coast's hopes of progressing out of Group G, which also includes Brazil, North Korea and Portugal. The African Player of the Year scored 37 goals in all competitions for Chelsea last season and his absence would be a major blow.

Carlos Alberto Parreira has warned his South Africa troops of Mexico's threat, a side he calls "the most daring team" at the World Cup. This ahead of the pair's clash at Soccer City on Friday - the opening game at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The two countries kick off the 19th edition of the finals and first ever on the African continent in Johannesburg with plenty of expectation on the host nation. Never in the history of the World Cup has a home team failed to qualify for the second round, with Bafana Bafana, the second-lowest ranked nation in the 2010 tournament behind North Korea, desperate to maintain that trend. Although confident, Brazilian coach Parreira expects a difficult opening against Javier Aguirre's men in front of an expected 85,000 crowd. "As much as the pressure is big, it's a World Cup game, it's sort of a war," he said. "Opening games are always difficult, there is lots of pressure, the whole country is involved and you are

Steven Gerrard has spoken of his pride at being England's 10th World Cup captain. Gerrard has followed Billy Wright, Johnny Haynes, Bobby Moore, Mick Mills, Bryan Robson, Peter Shilton, Terry Butcher, Alan Shearer and David Beckham in leading England at the finals. The Liverpool midfielder has willingly stepped into the role after Rio Ferdinand's knee ligament injury ruled him out and is using it as extra motivation to do himself justice in South Africa. Gerrard said: "I'd heard there had only been nine previous England captains at the World Cup and it gives me some extra motivation, extra drive. "I want to be a successful captain. I want to lead the boys as far as I can in this tournament. "You stop it being a burden by enjoying it and I think the people around me won't allow me it be a burden. "I've got to use it as a motivation rather than a burden." Gerrard was the first skipper of the Fabio Capello era, for the friendly international a

Fabio Capello knows England have come a long way since his first game in charge against Switzerland in February 2008. On their knees following the failure to reach Euro 2008, the Three Lions tackle the United States in their World Cup opener in Rustenburg with their coach believing it is time to start roaring again. "We have improved a lot since Switzerland," Capello told BBC Radio Five Live. "We found the spirit and we have found a different way of playing each game. "The players know me better and we have changed a lot. "But it is different here. It is not one game. "For this reason we have to be focused all the time. We have to understand what we have to do in each game." What England have to do is fairly simple. Victory against the United States would put them in pole position to finish top of a group that also contains Algeria and Slovenia and therefore book a last-16 encounter in Rustenburg, where England are presently based and where they will

Patrice Evra will lead France out for their World Cup opener against Uruguay. The Manchester United left-back was awarded the armband with previous incumbent Thierry Henry likely to start on the bench during the tournament. While the move displeased the more experienced William Gallas - who has now refused to talk to the media in protest - Evra is rightly proud of his promotion. The full-back struggled at United in the second half of the 2005/06 season having arrived from Monaco in the January transfer window. However, since then he has blossomed into perhaps the finest left-back in the world and that progression has culminated in him captaining his country. "I feel pride and honour and a huge responsibility but I have my team-mates behind me," he said. "We are very proud as a team and confident. We have a great deal of responsibility on our shoulders. "It's difficult to talk about oneself. I've put in some hard work to get to this point - I haven't had

Robin van Persie is adamant that Holland are capable of beating anyone at the World Cup in South Africa. The Arsenal striker also believes that teamwork will be key if the Dutch were to enjoy success at the biggest tournament in football. "It's really difficult to say because there are so many good teams. If we can work together - people like Sneidjer, Robben, Van der Vaart, myself, Van Bommel - then we have a big chance to beat anyone, van Persie told The Mirror . "When we have the ball everyone knows how to play. But we must pressure the opposition when we lose possession, do it properly. Despite the possibility of meeting reigning World champion Italy and European champion Spain, Van Persie is displaying little signs of fear - just curiosity. "I'm very curious what will happen because we have a tough, tough draw after the group stage. There is a 50 per cent chance of facing Italy if we go through, then there is a big chance of meeting Spain in the quarter-fin

Diego Maradona has revealed that Carlos Tevez will be in Argentina's starting line-up for their opening World Cup match against Nigeria. The news comes as a pleasant surprise for the Manchester City striker, who not long ago conceded that his poor international form had cost him a starting place in a national squad which boasts the likes of Barcelona's Lionel Messi, Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain and Inter's Diego Milito - all of whom have been in blistering form for their clubs. The Argentina coach however has other ideas and reckons that Tevez is 'bigger' than Messi and even himself. "Carlitos cannot be left out of the team. He is an idol of the people, more than me and Lionel Messi, so I read," Maradona told TyC Sports . The Argentina legend also went on to brush off any doubts over Messi's fitness, which is key if he is to become only the second man to win the World Cup both as a player and a coach. He concluded: "Everything is good with M

France face Uruguay in the second game of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in Group A with both sides hoping for a morale-boosting start. France, the 1998 winners and runners-up last time, will be seeking to silence their critics after their controversial play-off win over Republic of Ireland and some indifferent form in recent friendlies. Raymond Domenech will quit his role as Les Bleus coach after the finals and he will be hoping to bow out on a high despite all the off-field problems affecting the squad. Uruguay, who also reached the finals via the play-offs, are aiming to reach the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time since 1990. The two sides met in the 2002 World Cup at the group stages with both teams drawing a blank in a goalless draw in South Korea. Arsenal defender William Gallas is set to start in defence despite a minor knee injury and he will partner Eric Abidal at the heart of the rearguard. Franck Ribery has also shaken off a slight knee problem and the Bayern Mun

Nemanja Vidic's agent has hinted that the defender could leave Manchester United after the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Vidic attempted to put an end to transfer speculation towards the end of the season by insisting that he had no plans to leave Old Trafford before his current deal expires in 2012. However, Real Madrid have again been linked with a swoop for the Serbia international and his representative has refused to rule out a move. According to agent Paolo Fabbri, Vidic does not want to focus on anything other than the World Cup at present and will consider his club situation later in the summer. "At the moment there is no news," said Fabbri. "Nemanja has obviously left for the World Cup with Serbia and is concentrating on that. "We are waiting for information. We are waiting for Nemanja to tell us what he wants to do, so at the moment we are waiting as it is up to him." Asked whether United had offered Vidic a new deal, Fabbri said: "He is concentratin

USA defender Jonathan Spector believes his country can pull off a World Cup shock against England. England meet the USA in their Group C opener on Saturday with Fabio Capello's men heavy favourites to beat the Americans and progress from the group. West Ham defender Spector is relishing being underdogs and admits the main objective for hs side is to qualify for the knockout stages. "The whole squad is looking forward to South Africa and we are all ready and raring to go," Spector told skysports.com. "There is massive interest back home in the England game as it is a throwback to the 1950 World Cup game between the two countries. I am sure the game will be a big deal in both countries. "I think if you look at our group all the teams will feel England are favourites to win it. England first up will be a difficult game, but we will have no pressure on us as we will be underdogs. "If we play how we can we feel we can nick something from the game with England.

Steven Gerrard is certain Wayne Rooney can dispel doubts over his temperament and become a major World Cup star. Rooney heads into Saturday night's World Cup opener with the United States carrying the hopes of a nation on his shoulders but also with fresh questions being raised about his on-pitch conduct following his stormy performance against the Platinum Stars on Monday. FIFA official Alex Stone has already confirmed that the use of foul language will be regarded as a red and yellow card offence over the next five weeks and, having ended his last World Cup campaign by getting himself sent off against Portugal, Rooney needs to be careful it does not happen again. But Gerrard has no fears for his long time friend. "People talk about the yellow card he got the other day but that is Wayne Rooney," said Gerrard. "He is always on the edge. He has got that fire in his belly. "I know Wayne. I know about his upbringing and his background. We have a good understanding

Brazil defender Daniel Alves expects tough games at the World Cup but believes his team's "quality and creativity" will be decisive. The Canarinha, as usual, are among the favourites to win the tournament in South Africa. "Although everyone knows how we play, Brazil have the capacity to surprise opponents," said Alves. "What is important is to be ready for the opportunities we get. "I think what makes our national team different is the quality and creativity that it has." The Barcelona defender, meanwhile, has defended Brazil coach Dunga's tactics. "To make changes would only drive us away from our path," said the Barcelona defender. "We are on the right track and we have to finish in the same manner." Brazil kick off their tournament against North Korea on Monday in Johannesburg, before further Group G games against Ivory Coast and Portugal.

Cameroon and Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto'o says it is a dream come true that the World Cup is being played in South Africa. Eto'o, 29, cannot wait for their opening match in the tournament on Monday, when they face Japan in Bloemfontein. "It is incredible. I've always had this dream of playing in the World Cup in Africa and it's about to become a reality, " he told the Mail & Guardian. "When I'm in South Africa it will be the same as if I'm back in Cameroon. I've always said that, even before Cameroon, I belong to Africa. I might live in Europe but I sleep in Africa." Eto'o celebrated his first season in Serie A by winning the treble - including the Champions League. He added: "I'm so proud to be African in this World Cup. "Like most Africans I had to work much harder and show much deeper belief than others. "Most people see Africa only in terms of poverty and war, famine and disease. But this World Cup give

Nigeria striker Obafemi Martins insists his team must not fall into the trap of concentrating all their efforts on stopping Lionel Messi. The Super Eagles open their World Cup Group B campaign against two-time champions Argentina on Saturday, who are led by Barcelona superstar Messi. The quality of Messi will clearly be something Nigeria, playing their first competitive game under Swedish coach Lars Lagerback, cannot ignore, but Wolfsburg forward Martins has warned his team-mates not to ignore his strong supporting cast. The former Newcastle man said: "People talk a lot about Messi, forgetting that there are other very good players in the Argentinian team, such as Carlos Tevez and Diego Milito. It's a team game and we also have our own stars for the day. "It is an important match for all of us, the players and the technical crew." Martins' team-mate Taye Taiwo has revenge on his mind after losing to an Argentina side inspired by Messi in the final of the 2005 Un

Slovenia will launch their World Cup finals campaign in optimistic mood. The Slovenians, who are based in Johannesburg, will face Algeria in Polokwane on Sunday, a day after Group C favourites England lock horns with the United States in Rustenburg. They will do so determined to ensure their stay in South Africa is not a brief one. Assistant coach Matjaz Kek Milan Miklavic told RTV Slovenia: "The team looks good, the team looks very good, as always. "Can we expect a positive result? We are optimistic because the players in recent games have shown good results, so we need to be optimistic. "For all the teams, the first game will be a very big opportunity. "All teams are living in some uncertainty about what will happen, and that is the special charm of championships."