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Cristiano Ronaldo has a vivid memory of Bafana Bafana. And it is the kind that might help lift our fumbling senior national team into changing their fortunes in time for next year's World Cup.
"I remember them from our match against them (in Switzerland) and they were good," says the Real Madrid star without flinching. "They love possession of the ball and they have very good technique. I think they will do well at the World Cup. They will be motivated because they will be playing at home."
Thoughts that this response to a question about South Africa, during the launch of the Castrol Rankings at Fundacion Fabrica de Tapices (a museum building) here, was merely a statement to appease yours truly were quickly dispelled.
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During a group interview afterwards, the World Footballer of the Year qualified his statements, saying he firmly believed South Africa would do well in 2010.
| 'I think they will do well at the World Cup' |
"South Africa," was his terse answer to a question about which of the African countries he expects to do well in "their" World Cup.
His reasoning was based on experience.
"When you play at home you tend to do well because the crowd is behind you and I think it will happen for South Africa.
"I can give you an example ... in 2004 (European Championships) Portugal played at home. No one was talking about us, but we went all the way to the final. Maybe South Africa can also surprise at the World Cup."
His own country is not yet assured of a ticket down south for the month-long football extravaganza starting on June 11 next year, but Ronaldo is, however, confident he will play in his second World Cup.
| 'I think it will happen for South Africa' |
"I believe I'll be there," he responded to a question as to what he thinks the World Cup would be without the world's best player.
"I don't believe I will watch the World Cup on TV. I will be in South Africa because we will qualify. We've improved since the qualifiers, but it's not easy.
"France, Argentina and Portugal all find it difficult to qualify. And we have a big game coming up against Bosnia and we have to win; we must win, for if we win, we are in the World Cup. Portugal have to be in the World Cup."
And to this effect he believes their coach, Carlos Queiroz, is doing his best to ensure his return to a country he once coached.
"Carlos's priority is to qualify for the World Cup and it is the priority of the players, too. He is a very experienced coach and he knows much better than anyone that we have to be there. And it will be interesting because Carlos was a coach of South Africa and he knows many things about them. We are interested to go to South Africa."
With Africa hosting its maiden World Cup, there are those who believe the continent has a chance to improve on its quarterfinal showing - the best stage ever reached by a member of the Confederation of African Football.
What does the Portuguese star make of that?
"Africa always has good, strong teams with great character. It will be very interesting. I look forward to seeing how they perform at the World Cup."
Currently injured, Ronaldo has had to watch his Galactico teammates fumble from one bad result to another before last Saturday's revival which saw them beat Getafe 2-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu despite being a man down.
Yet he refuses to agree with the general sentiment that Madrid's defeats are a lot to do with his absence.
"I don't play in all positions, so the bad form is not because I am not there. It is impossible to have a team at the top all the time; every team has its bad moments."
Bafana have been having their bad moments lately, but Ronaldo's words might just be the pick-me-up they need.
Cristiano Ronaldo factfile
Full name: Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro
Date of birth: 5 February 1985
AGE: 24
Place of birth: Madeira, Portugal
HeighT:1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing position: Winger, Forward
Club information
Current club: Real Madrid
Number: 9
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001-2003 Sporting CP 25 (3)
2003-2009 Manchester United 196 (84)
2009- Real Madrid 5 (5)
(Appearances and goals scored apply to domestic league matches only.)
National team
2003- Portugal 68 (22)
- This article was originally published on page 22 of The Star on November 06, 2009
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