South Africa: Sibusiso Zuma

South Africa are preparing to unleash electric-fast flying winger Sibusiso Zuma on the World Cup this summer.

Since their re-emergence into the global sporting arena, the South Africans have enjoyed spells of domination in cricket and rugby, winning a World Cup title in the latter.

But they have lacked a world-class footballer with Benni McCarthy failing to live up to early promise and Lucas Radebe’s career stalled after a chain of injuries.

Zuma appears to offer a star quality though and he is primed for a move to an elite European side after the finals.

Performances there could dictate just which club does pounce for him, with several from Italy and Spain thought to be preparing bids.

A striker with FC Copenhagen in the Danish Superligaen, Zuma will feature as a right-winger for the South Africans and his pace could be a real head-turner.

Zuma wants a move to Spain, so for the Bafana Bafana to be drawn in Group B with Jose Antonio Camacho’s side has given him a platform to impress.

The Pietermaritzburg-born player played with South African sides African Wanderers and Orlando Pirates before upping sticks to play in Denmark.

There were said to be 34 scouts watching him when FC Copenhagen faced Lazio last summer.

‘‘It makes me very proud,’’ Zuma said.

‘‘It obviously means I’m doing well. It also means I have a lot of pressure on me as I know people have come to watch me. I always try to be at my best.’’

As he approaches his peak, Zuma wants to taste big-time football in a big-time league on a daily basis.

‘‘Any out of Spain, Italy and England would be great,’’ he said.

‘‘I think Spain would suit my style best.’’

‘‘I think this year will be a good time to leave FC Copenhagen. I don’t see myself being here any longer than that.’’

Radebe is an admirer and believes Zuma should make it his aim to test himself against top-class defenders on a regular basis.

‘‘He’s a very promising player,’’ said the Leeds and South African defender.

‘‘When he moved from African Wanderers to Orlando Pirates, he already looked something special.

‘‘He has improved and matured since moving to Denmark. In the Champions League qualifier against Lazio, he showed his confidence was high and that he is ready to move onto bigger things.

‘‘He is always willing to try things and pull off tricks. Though it won’t do him any harm to get another full season under his belt in Denmark before moving on.’’

Voted player of the year in Denmark last year, and scorer of the goal of the year, prospective buyers can expect to be quoted at least €8million for Zuma.

It is not a price tag which fazes him.

‘‘The pressure has always been there,’’ he said.

‘‘I must just keep cool and continue playing the way I’ve been playing, and I know there will be clubs willing to pay that amount or more for me.’’

The South Africans collected a miserable single point from their three group games on their World Cup debut at France 98, but Zuma is more optimistic about the current team’s prospects.

‘‘I think we’ll do well this time,’’ he said.

‘‘It was our first World Cup last time. I think we can hope to reach the second round.’’