The 2008 Africa Cup of Nations is set to be a competitive affair.  Many teams in Africa are brimming with talent and the prospect of a tough competition is a certainty.

South Africa's national team, nicknamed the Bafana-Bafana ('The Boys'), are not contenders to win the tournament, which has just kicked off in Ghana. But as the host team for the FIFA 2010 World Cup, they'll be out to win that trophy - and Brazil World Cup winner Carlos Alberto Parreira is being paid a small fortune to ensure South Africa are competitive in two years' time.

The African Cup of Nations, which has just kicked off in Ghana, will be the ideal launching pad for South Africa's World Cup challenge and although the team have been struggling, even amongst minnow neighbouring teams, the Bafana-Bafana are building momentum through a carefully structured campaign.

South Africa's current underdog status might just provide the team with the ideal platform for an unexpected strike in Ghana, who own team are strong contenders. Indeed, Africa is filled with teams all hungry to ensure they will hoist the trophy.

As a patriotic South African, my shout here is based on emotion rather than common-sense, but I know our boys are exceptionally talented and capable of doing the job.  There is pretty little left to say other than, "Woza, Bafana-Bafana."