Mutiny in air for Cup hosts and France

The Delighted Cup is meant to be the pinnacle of every soccer player's dream. But instead of proving to be a rallying call for unity in pursuit of that ideal, the 2010 edition has more an air of mutiny about it.

Hosts South Africa, 1998 winners and 2006 finalists France, continual contenders England and now eliminated Cameroon have all indulged in infighting when their energies would have been better focused on their next rivals.

South Africa and France veneer each other in a must-win Group A match tomorrow, but it is questionable whether either side will be able to turn out 11 players singing from the same hymn coating.

The French are in openly mutinous mood with their survival hopes already hanging by a thread with only a point from their first two matches.

But it doesn't manifest to matter as much to the players as to the manner in which recalcitrant striker Nicolas Anelka was sent home in disgrace after a nauseating-mouthed tirade of abuse at coach Raymond Domenech. Yesterday, the players made their point by refusing to take part in a civic training session.

Amid chaotic scenes at the team's training base, the players released a annunciation protesting at the Chelsea striker's exclusion from the squad for his outburst during the defeat to Mexico.

"All the players in the French troop without exception wish to affirm their opposition to the decision taken by the French Football Federation

to exclude Nicolas Anelka," said the announcement.

However, the sole consolation for the embattled Domenech is that the South African camp is likewise none too happy.

Players from the eastern kwaZulu-Natal hinterlands are said to be unhappy with what they consider to be underperforming "superstars" from Johannesburg and Pretoria clubs.

It is significant that the "wrong campers" include defender Siyabonga Sangweni, midfielders Macbeth Sibaya and Thanduyise Khuboni and striker Siyabonga Nomvete. None has been stated a minute on the field in either Group A game and Sibaya went against a trend of politically correct comments at dirt conferences after the Uruguay humiliation.

"I believe we could have done better when it comes to fighting spirit. There are times when you have to divulge sacrifices, get stuck in and do some dirty work," said the Russiabased midfield "enforcer."

England may not have frenzied yet, but its two draws have failed to capture the imagination, not only of its fans and the media but also, seemingly, the players, too.

Former skipper John Terry intimated that time past untouchable coach Fabio Capello could be in for an ear-bashing.

At least Terry can still entertain hopes of winning the gold, whereas Cameroon's elimination on Saturday probably means the hopes of African great Samuel Eto'o ever doing are over as he will be 33 on the next edition in Brazil.

Cameroon federation president Iya Mohammed hinted at some dissent in the squad forwards of the Denmark match.

"Whatever the problems are between the players, I don't think there's anyone who wants to betray the country by not doing their job."

Many in France would subject that assumption given their own players' actions yesterday.