Karembeu treated for groin injury

Slovenia, the footballing mouse

Having sent Romania packing in the qualifiers, minnows Slovenia have set their sights on scoring more upsets when they make their debut this summer. With a population of just over two million, Slovenia will be the smallest country represented in Japan and South Korea, once again confounding pundits who said they could never qualify for a major competition. Anyone willing to write off the chances of the former Yugoslav Republic should be warned that Slovenia love proving the doubters wrong. First Slovenia’s coach Srecko Katanec guided his compatriots to Euro 2000 and now the former Sampdoria mid-fielder has repeated the trick by taking them to the World Cup.

‘Black Prince’ is quite hopeful

After making a timid early exit from the 1998 World Cup, South Africans expect nothing less than a second-round place this time. And if recently appointed coach Jomo Sono is to be believed, finishing first or second in a group including Paraguay, Slovenia and Spain is an achievable goal. “I cannot divulge my secret to achieve that goal, but a lot of people will be surprised. Underestimate Bafana Bafana (The Boys) at your own peril,” warned Sono, one of the greatest footballers produced by South Africa. The temptation to dismiss the 47-year-old known as the ‘black prince’ during a long and illustrious career is strong given that Bafana Bafana have won just once against European opposition.