Seven-time winners Egypt produced a lacklustre display and were punished by Thembinkosi Lorch's 85th-minute strike.

Celtic go into the international break in fine fettle despite dropping their first two points of the season against St Johnstone, according to boss Brendan Rodgers.

Rivaldo Coetzee's proposed move from Ajax Cape Town to Celtic has fallen through after the defender failed a medical, the South African club have confirmed.

Joe Schmidt will be hoping Steve Hansen doesn’t bear a grudge when the All Blacks head coach helps pull Ireland’s 2019 World Cup pool opponents out of the bag during today’s draw in Kyoto, Japan.

Sports Minister blasts ‘unbearable, useless losers’

He emerged into bright winter sunshine, stepped onto the lush field, and pulled on a cap.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp insists a bid of £35m would not meet his valuation of wantaway midfielder Luka Modric.

Egypt’s football chiefs are to request that next month’s international match against South Africa be postponed due to recent political unrest in the north African country.

NELSON MANDELA attended the opening of last night’s World Cup final between Spain and Netherlands, thrilling fans and capping South Africa’s pride in staging a successful tournament.

FRANCE exited the World Cup at the first-round stage with barely a whimper after this humbling defeat by the host nation at the Free State Stadium.

Sports minister Roselyne Bachelot has told France's World Cup players they are no longer heroes in the eyes of children.

FRANCE coach Raymond Domenech insisted last night the decision to send Nicolas Anelka home was the correct one.

The France squad returned to training this morning, a day after refusing to take part in a routine session in protest at the decision to send home Nicolas Anelka.

It would have been an altogether different spectacle in South Africa had our boys taken their rightful place among the nations of the earth. At least Sepp will know better the next time we ask for special dispensation.

Defiant South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira urged his side not to let their heads drop as they seek to bounce back from last night’s potentially costly 3-0 World Cup defeat to Uruguay in Pretoria.

HOST nation South Africa were left facing the prospect of an early World Cup exit after slumping to defeat at the hands of a Diego Forlan-inspired Uruguay in Pretoria last night.

South Africa 0 Uruguay 3

SOUTH AFRICA coach Carlos Alberto Parreira believes his side will be more confident going into today’s potentially crucial World Cup showdown with Uruguay having got their first game under their belts.

NELSON MANDELA pulled out of the opening ceremony of the World Cup following the death of his great-granddaughter in a car crash.

We’re all a bit more South African this morning than we were this time yesterday. A bit more ecstatic, a bit more relieved and, after a night’s sober reflection, just happy to live to fight another day.

World Cup Group A

South Africa 1 Mexico 1

South Africa is ready to stage a "Ferrari" of a World Cup as today's big kick-off approaches.

CARLOS ALBERTO PARREIRA has warned his South Africa side of the threat posed by what he describes as “the most daring team” at the World Cup ahead of their showdown with Mexico at Soccer City today.

SOUTH AFRICA goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune believes the World Cup hosts should be fearless in approaching all three of their opponents in Group A.

ARGENTINA striker Carlos Tevez threw down the challenge to World Cup favourites Spain and Brazil last night by declaring: “I’m ready” – even though he may not play in their opening game.

South Africa’s all-time leading goalscorer Benni McCarthy was today left out of the Bafana Bafana squad for the World Cup finals.

NELSON MANDELA proclaimed that it has been worth the long wait for the World Cup to arrive on African soil, but Brazil and Portugal may not be feeling quite so welcoming after last night’s draw.

France coach Raymond Domenech is delighted to be facing host nation South Africa in the 2010 World Cup.

The World Cup ’Group of Death’ reared its ugly head this afternoon – and left Brazil facing a tough task to progress to the knockout stage in South Africa next year.

Benni McCarthy wants to leave Blackburn and will seeking a January move in a bid to revive his career, according to his agent.

Carlos Alberto Parreira has been reappointed coach of South Africa, replacing compatriot Joel Santana who quit the post on Monday.

IF you didn’t see the game, allow us to present a quick synopsis. South Africa enjoyed well over two-thirds of the possession, had umpteen more shots on goal than Ireland and our lads won 1-0.

IT’S a pretty safe bet that, as far as Ireland’s World Cup ambitions are concerned, Giovanni Trapattoni will learn more from tonight’s international in Turin than last night’s in Thomond Park.

ONLY four players who featured in Nicosia on Saturday night – including substitute Caleb Folan – are retained in Giovanni Trapattoni’s experimental side for tonight’s international friendly game against South Africa at Thomond Park.

Giovanni Trapattoni has challenged his fringe players to grasp the opportunity to force their way into his World Cup plans.

South Africa coach Joel Santana has included strikers Mabhuti Khenyeza and Richard Henyekane in his 24-man squad for the match against Ireland in Thomond Park early next month.

TICKET prices for Ireland’s upcoming friendly with South Africa at Thomond Park next month have been slashed in a bid to sell out the famous Limerick stadium.

SUBSTITUTE Daniel Alves broke South African hearts with an 88th-minute free-kick for Brazil that dumped the hosts out of the Confederations Cup with a narrow semi-final victory in Johannesburg.

South Africa 0 Brazil 1

The Republic of Ireland are to play World Cup hosts South Africa in a friendly in September.

Tunisia sealed top spot in Group B tonight after a goalless draw with Angola who also qualify for the quarter-finals of the African Nations Cup.

South Africa international Gift Leremi was killed in a car accident last night, police have confirmed.

Former Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has revealed he is close to being appointed as the new coach of 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa.

Former South Africa coach Stuart Baxter believes Celtic manager Gordon Strachan will get “the ideal professional” if he can sign Quinton Fortune.

South Africa, who will host the 2010 World Cup, exited the African Nations Cup without a point or even a goal to their name following defeat to Zambia.

Former Republic of Ireland coach Brian Kerr has applied for the vacant post as coach of South Africa.

Manchester United’s Quinton Fortune is considering ending his South African international exile.

Former England coaches Glenn Hoddle and Howard Wilkinson are among six candidates being considered to coach South Africa in their 2006 World Cup campaign.

Premiership pair Celestine Babayaro and Aiyegbeni Yakubu have been thrown out of the Nigeria’s African Nations Cup squad for indiscipline.