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africanews

The first ever FIFA World Cup on African soil has lived up to expectations but with surprises and conundrum. Already, the mighty have fallen - USA, England, France and Italy. All the African teams including host South Africa have been axed but one - Ghana. We share the thoughts of our reporters across the continent.

What has been your impression of the tournament so far?
Sanday Chongo Kabange (Zambia): The tournament has been exciting, trilling and disappointing from an African point of view. Generally, the overall organization of the tournament so far has been commendable contrary to fears that the first ever World Cup on African turf would fall short. What is really exciting about this tournament is that some of the stronger teams in the tournament are either losing or drawing with the so called underdogs. Otherwise, by the look of things, this tournament has shown that there is no super power in football and that each of the remaining teams have the potential to win the trophy.

Samuel Whyteman (Nigeria): It’s been an exciting and successful tournament with the vuvuzela generating its loads of interests and publicity. Overall, it’s a huge fiesta which shows the capabilities and potentials of Africa when given the needed support. The energy and excitement is felt here in Nigeria and indeed the entire continent and the world.

Glorea Bentil (Ghana): It has been positive. No major incident has been recorded so far to thwart the organization of the game as feared ahead of the World Cup. South Africans have lived up to expectations and continue to fill the stadiums despite their team’s early exit from the tournament. It would be a memorable World Cup with a lot of the big names kissing goodbye to the game at the initial stages.

Kingsley Kobo (Ivory Coast): I must confess that South Africa 2010 has been greatly successful so far. Africans should be proud of what their continent is proving to the world. We see beautiful stadiums, modern cities, state-of-the-art camera shots, hospitable people and of course a generally peaceful event. In the field of play, I feel we have seen good game of high standard so far but with some surprises anyway, in the likes of Italy and France's elimination. My only regret is the unexpected poor outing of African teams - Nigeria, Cameroon and Algeria. But Ivory Coast and South Africa need some kudos for winning at least a game. Only Ghana stood out and they deserve continental support.

Walter Nana Wilson (Cameroon): It has been a great tourney in the organizational set up. The South African people and their government have made the African continent super proud. The matches have also been very exciting, though some teams, especially those from the African continent have been a disgrace. Some of the referees too have to be shown the red card for their "foul play". The ambiance in and out of the stadia has just been great and it promises to be electric as the competition progresses.

Which team(s) has surprised you the most?
Sanday: Italy and France because I thought these teams might have made it through to the last four. On continental level, I think Cameroon and Ivory Coast have also surprised me in the sense that they are Africa’s giants and I was shaken at the way they started their campaign in the group games. I was not surprised by the drab performances of Algeria, Nigeria and South Africa.

Samuel: South Korea, they are just too fast, and Ghana they impressed even without Michael Essien.

Glorea: Ghana and Uruguay would have my picks. Unfortunately, one of them would bid farewell to South Africa by Friday and I tip my birth nation to scale to the semis.

Kingsley: Well, all North and South American teams have been fascinating so far, especially Uruguay, Mexico and USA. For Africa, Ghana have been awesome. No European representatives have impressed me so far.

Walter: Slovakia with their bashing of the 2006 World Cup Champion, Italian Squaddra Azzuri.

Which player has impressed you the most?
Sanday: I am very impressed with Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan. I remember him from last World Cup in Germany and I always smile when I see him play. He is a determined player and never on the limelight. He has created himself a name and his fast paced headers are awesome to watch. He is a better player than Michael Essien and Didier Drogba. Maybe Gyan should be considered for African footballer of the year.

Samuel: Vincent Enyeama of Nigeria. He was marvellous in goal.

Glorea: Diego Forlan of Uruguay. He has really propelled his team on and expects him to be on fire against Ghana again. Also, Andre Dede Ayew has proven his critics wrong that his call up into the Black Stars was based on merit and not favouritism. He has a lot up his sleeves for Ghana.

Kingsley: Diego Forlan of Uruguay, Honda of Japan, David Villa of Spain and Landon Donovan of USA.

Walter: Uruguay's offensive midfielder, Diego Forlan. He is a great organiser of the Uruguayan team, The Celeste.


Uruguay's dreaded Diego Forlan

Which teams are likely to go through to the finals?
Sanday: Argentina, Brazil and Spain. Eventually Argentina will win this World Cup by beating Brazil by two goals to one.

Samuel: Ghana, Argentina, Netherlands and Brazil

Glorea: Ghana, Argentina, Germany and Brazil. The rest can take care of themselves.

Kingsley: I see Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Ghana, Spain, Uruguay, Slovakia.

Walter: Uruguay, Ghana and Germany.