Tshabalala, say you love me too

Let's hear it for Siphiwe Tshabalala. One of the most satisfying players at this years tournament. A fantasy player from Kaiser Chiefs I was surprised he didn't earn a big European move after his performances at last year's Confederations Cup. A pacey left winger, 25 years old with 50+ caps and the benefit of an academy background. I like him because his name is fun to say out-loud. Give it a try: see-pee-way sha-ba-la-la. Delicious.

His name may be his best quality, but he has plenty more in his locker. Kaiser Chiefs are one of the best supported sides in South Africa, and in a nation where football fans tend to follow European clubs rather than watch football in person, he plays infront of packed stadia in his home games and the Sowetu derby against Orlando Pirates is a derby to match any in terms of passion and rivalry. Kaiser Chiefs is also the name of a shit indie band from Leeds.

The World Cup proper starts this evening of course, after 4 competitive warm-up matches the opening game will see tournament favourites England face their confused cousins the USA. Media build-up for this tournament will have seen various pundits smugly remind the fly-catching viewer that this is infact a winter tournament, it is winter in South Africa so England will have an advantage over the sides from warmer climes. It winter, well done guys, but it's still Africa. We wont be seeing too many snowmen, it still gets pretty hot, unbearably so at times. One thing that surprised me about the weather was that although the days have the heat of an English summer, it gets dark very early and very quickly. 5pm and it's a lovely sunny June evening similar to you would get back in Blighty, you're ready to sit outside all evening in your shirt sleeves. 5.30pm and it's pitch black as though someone has switched off a light. Takes some getting used to.

Good grief, 3 days as a blogger and I'm already making pointless weather related small-talk.