I have every right to be elated that my prediction of a World Cup full of surprises has come to pass. My simple premise was that since Africa is regarded as a continent full of surprises; the first World Cup being staged on the continent was bound to provide a lot of upsets. And I got it right.

I did not have the privilege of international media coverage like Germany’s oracle octopus had but those who have been reading my blog would bear me out. The early exit of giants like Italy the defending champions, France, England, Brazil and hosts South Africa plus the litany of controversial decisions by referees all contributed to make the 2010 World Cup such a memorable event full of astonishing records.

The fact that Spain’s triumph is the first by a team that lost the opening match but went on to win the Cup added more spice to the historic event in South Africa. To The Netherlands, it is an unenviable title to be titled ‘three time losing finalist’. The originators of total football seem to be unlucky in World Cup finals. When can this myth be broken?

Their first cup final was against hosts Germany in 1974, ditto the second against hosts Argentina in 1978. After the long hibernation, football analysts had tipped them to be third time lucky on a neutral ground where the host team was nowhere to be found but some rather harsh referees’ decisions which reduced the team to 10 and poor marksmanship by usually reliable striker Arjen Robben robbed them of victory.

As the Orange boys lick their wounds, they might win the sympathy of Ghana and England who were robbed of crucial goals by incompetent referees in their respective matches against Uruguay and Germany. In both instances, clear goals were ignored  which raised international  uproar and for once  the intransigent  FIFA boss Sepp Blatter has seen it if fit to reopen discussions on goal line technology. This spells good omen for Brazil 2014 where Africa will have five teams instead of the six in South Africa.

There is no doubt that the poor performance of African teams in South Africa was another major surprise. The African teams had been tipped to exploit home advantage for a huge success but they failed abysmally apart from Ghana that survived the group stages and made it to the quarter finals.

Some pessimists do not find anything spectacular about Ghana celebrating the record of equaling the achievements of Cameroun and Senegal.  Their claim is that Africa should not be content with being in the last eight but aim for the Cup. Well said; but one must be realistic enough to appreciate the fact that in terms of grooming players and its accompanying training facilities, most African countries have a long way to go. One must be generous in praise for the modest progress achieved so far.

All the top African stars ply their trade in Europe and other advanced football nations and that tells the whole story. Africa has a long way to go but if we are humble enough to accept our shortcomings and learn from those who have already made it, Africa will make it big sooner than later.

Congratulations to Spain for throwing away their garb of perennial underachievers and winning the Cup in their first ever final. Better luck to The Netherlands. They fought a good fight but Iniesta and Co proved too stubborn in the night.

South Africa proved wonderful hosts but they should remember that the party is over.  No more automatic qualification. The next time round, they would have to sweat to cross the Atlantic Ocean to Brazil and it is hoped the Black Stars of Ghana would relive Roger Milla’s prediction and continue their progressive World Cup performance.

Cheers everybody and keep loving sports.