The definitive lists for the nations concerning OM players have been handed in. Six Olympians will be playing at the World Cup in South Africa, here are their programmes.
As the warm days start to arrive, the different lists for the World Cup have been cut down. Exit the 30 man groups, as of this 1st of June. FIFA had demanded it: each nation must take 23 players to South Africa. All throughout the day, the national team managers sent in their names.
Of course there are those who are happy and those who are sad. If Hatem Ben Arfa already had his bad news a few days ago, the terrible surprise came this time from the Ivory Coast. Ericksson made up his mind: Baky Koné will not go to the World Cup with the Elephants. A tough blow for the little OM forward, who was voted his country’s best player just two years ago.
At the end of the day, six Olympians - plus Laurent Spinosi – are ready to rejoin the headquarters of their respective nations in Mandela’s country.
France - Steve Mandanda and Mathieu Valbuena will be there this week-end. If the OM keeper should be number 2 in the hierarchy determined by Raymond Domenech, his team-mate from Marseille has a chance to grasp. For the moment it is Govou who is expected to start down the right flank, but Mathieu scored points with his performance against Costa Rica.
Uruguay-France
11 June 2010 in Cape Town
France-Mexico
17 June 2010 in Polokwane
France-South Africa
22 June 2010 in Bloemfontein
Cameroon - Stéphane Mbia has not yet played a preparation match with the Cameroon of Le Guen through injury. It is not yet known in which position the French coach wants to play him, but the Olympian will have opportunities.
Japan- Cameroon
14 June in Bloemfontein
Cameroon-Denmark
19 June in Pretoria
Cameroon-Holland
24 June in Cape Town
Argentina - Gaby Heinze should never really have been worried. He will be present at the World Cup and should be in the starting line-up for Argentina. Maradona considers him as one of his senior players and he will probably play at left full-back.
Argentina-Nigeria
12 June in Johannesburg
Argentina-South Korea
17 June in Johannesburg
Greece-Argentina
22 June in Polokwane
Nigeria - Taye Taiwo is in the list of 23 Nigerians. If the fullback was in the starting line-up for the last friendly match against Colombia, he stil needs to fully convince the Swedish manager Lars Lagerback.
Argentina-Nigeria
12 June in Johannesburg
Greece-Nigeria
17 June in Bloemfontein
Nigeria-South Korea
22 June in Durban
Ghana - André Ayew has jumped on the right wagon and will be present at the World Cup in South Africa with the «Black Stars», thanks to his great performances in the under 20’s World Cup a few months ago and his great season with ACA. Will it be enough for him to make his way into the first team?
Serbia-Ghana
13 June in Pretoria
Ghana-Australia
19 June in Rustenburg
Ghana-Germany
23 June in Johannesburg
Ivory Coast - Baky Koné will miss out on the World Cup. «Lolo» Spinosi will be the only Olympian with the Elephants. He will coach the goalkeepers of the talented Ivory Coast team.
Ivory Coast-Portugal
15 June in Port-Elizabeth
Brazil-Ivory Coast
20 June in Johannesburg
North Korea –Ivory Coast
25 June in Nelspruit
