If the ongoing Confederation Cup in South Africa is a dress rehearsal for the FIFA World Cup in 2010, then we should expect a lot of surprises in FIFA’s first football fiesta in Africa. It is accepted that football is a most unpredictable game that knows no logic or mathematics but most of the results recorded so far in the Confederation Cup will baffle the most sophisticated football purist.

Who could have imagined that after Egypt’s great come back in retrieving three goals from Brazil only to lose on a disputed penalty, and then follow it up with a sensational 1-0 win over World Champs Italy, could succumb so embarrassingly to a “non- football nation” like the USA 3-0.

Analysts say Brazil are slow starters in such major tournaments but the way they surrendered their 3-0 lead against Egypt, did not give any impression that they could go far this time round but they have surprisingly netted six goals without reply in their two subsequent matches against the USA and Italy. The mathematicians will never get in right in football. If Italy beat the USA and Egypt beat Italy, then logically Egypt must win against the USA. But it doesn’t work that way in football and that is what makes it difficult to predict the outcome of the semi final pairings: Brazil v South Africa and Spain v The USA.

All I can say is that, watch out for thrills and even more excitement in the World Cup proper next year judging from the results of the qualifying series especially in Africa.

The first round has ended with giants like Cameroun and Egypt not too sure of their fate. Ghana, who the legendary Roger Milla predicted would be a World Cup threat once they make their debut, are living up to Milla’s prediction. Three straight wins in three outings have put the Black Stars in quite a safe zone but knowing the unsure nature of football, the game can only be over until it’s all over.

The worldwide notion is that, Africa is full of surprises and so don’t be surprised to see surprise qualifiers for South Africa 2010.

Cheers everybody and keep loving sports.