‘It is funny, France is worthless’

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This article was published 23/06/2010 (5947 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa — Strutting into the stadium dancing and singing, Bafana Bafana turned its final game at the World Cup into a rollicking party for all of South Africa. All that was missing was enough goals to see them through to the next round.

For France, Tuesday’s 2-1 loss completed a miserable meltdown.

With each team needing a big win to have any chance of moving on from Group A, both stuck to character. South Africa played eager and aggressive soccer. France imploded.

In the end, neither survived the group stage. But Bafana Bafana players left with their heads held high.

"The fighting spirit was there," said Katlego Mphela, who scored one of South Africa’s goals. "It’s a bit unfortunate, but we beat France in the World Cup."

Bongani Khumalo scored in the 20th minute when he outjumped France midfielder Abou Diaby to knock a cross from Siphiwe Tshabalala into the net with his shoulder. Mphela made it 2-0 just 17 minutes later, outmuscling defender Gael Clichy to reach a low cross from Tsepo Masilela and knock the ball across the line.

Substitute Florent Malouda scored for France in the 70th.

France leaves the tournament with a point from a 0-0 tie with Uruguay, and just one goal. Worse, it has become the shame of a proud country.

On Tuesday, the 2006 runner-up was forced to play with 10 men after Yoann Gourcuff was ejected for elbowing Macbeth Sibaya in the 25th minute.

French soccer has been a mess ever since sports daily L’Equipe printed details of striker Nicolas Anelka’s expletive-filled rant at coach Raymond Domenech during halftime of last Thursday’s 2-0 loss to Mexico.

The French soccer federation sent Anelka home Saturday and the French players protested by refusing to practise the following day. Footage of the players refusing to come off the team bus was beamed home to stunned fans.

Not even a dressing down by French sports minister Roselyne Bachelot on the eve of the match could inspire Les Bleus. Bachelot called an emergency meeting Monday to tell the players they had let the country down and had one last chance to redeem themselves.

"It’s your kids, our children, for whom perhaps you will no longer be heroes," said Bachelot, who told reporters she left the players in tears. "It is the dreams of your partners, your friends, your fans that you have perhaps broken.

"You have tarnished the image of France."

In the stands, one fan flew a French flag with the word "shame" emblazoned on it.

Back in Paris, thousands of people watched the match broadcast on a screen across from the Eiffel Tower. It was a frustrating afternoon.

"It’s funny, France is worthless," said 17-year-old fan Victor Malamoud.

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Domenech said he was "sad for all the fans and everyone who supports the French team."

"It’s the hard and harsh reality of our situation," he said. "So I have a genuine sense of sadness."

— The Associated Press