World Cup fever kicks in

LIMBA MUPETAMI



This 2018 Fifa World Cup kicks off on 14 June, when hosts Russia play Saudi Arabia in Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.

The champions will be crowned in the same arena on 14 July.

The tournament is without question the biggest and most prestigious sporting event on the planet.

Namibian Sun took to the streets to find out which country Namibians support and what their predictions, in terms of which countries will contest the final match.



Gabriel Gabes Erastus

I'm supporting Belgium. The team is very strong, from the goalkeeper to the forwards, and they are packed with good players upfront. I predict that they will play Spain in the final.



Hilya Nashilongo

I support France. They have brilliant players. They will face Germany in the final.



Joyce Sariano

I support Germany. They are the cup holders. Looking at their qualification campaign, it offered the perfect opportunity to begin mixing youth with experience, and they impressed. Their remarkable squad depth has been supplemented by an injection of fresh legs.

They play as a team and they know exactly what it takes to win the tournament.

Max Halweedo

I will go for France. They have all it takes and they have world-class players, from defence to midfielders and vastly experienced attackers. So for me the will take the trophy home.



Katopi Namukwambi

I support Germany. Reason being, Germany always goes to the final. They produce the best talent always. They will face Italy in the final.



Martha Ankambo

Belgium, because they have a very strong and young squad and most of my best players are there. They will face Germany.



Daniel Naanda

France. They have experience and they will play Germany in the final.



Care Sheya

I support Portugal, because they have a formidable young squad and they have the presence of the ever-hungry-for-success figurehead Cristiano Ronaldo makes it even more feasible. They will play against Argentina in the final.



Oskar Heita

I'm behind Germany. Germany is more likely to be the winner, because they are disciplined defensively and they will face Brazil in the final.



Few Kakoma

I support the Belgium team. They have quality players and they have the right mentality to compete and win the tournament. They will face Italy or Argentina in the final.



Uncle Valentino Vice

Definitely it's Argentina for me. The best footballer (Lionel Messi) of my generation is bowing out. I would love to send him off with the world cup trophy. It will officially certify his name as the greatest footballer of all time. No second guessing about this one.



Simson Tuhafeni Paulus

It's Germany for me. I love the country and the style of football they play. They have a team with a lot of experienced players and I have been supporting them since my childhood. I think they will face Spain or Argentina in the final.



Harry Sem

I support Brazil. They are very strong. They are likely to play Spain in the final.



Anguku Martin-Junior Iileka

I'm supporting France. They are the only team with pure young and entertaining talent. I see them going far, if not taking the cup to Paris.



Simeon Collin Shiimi

I'm supporting Argentina. They will definitely make it to the final against Brazil and Argentina will win with two goals by the magician, Lionel Messi.



Word Cup champions over the years:

2014: Germany, 2010: Spain, 2006: Italy, 2002: Brazil, 1998: France, 1994: Brazil, 1990: Germany, 1986: Argentina, 1982: Italy, 1978: Argentina, 1974: Germany, 1970: Brazil, 1966: England, 1962: Brazil, 1958: Brazil, 1954: Germany, 1950: Uruguay, 1938: Italy and 1930: Uruguay.



GROUP A

Egypt, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay



GROUP B

Iran, Morocco, Portugal and Spain



GROUP C

Australia, Denmark, France and Peru



GROUP D

Argentina, Croatia, Iceland and Nigeria



GROUP E

Brazil, Costa Rica, Serbia and Switzerland



GROUP F

Germany, South Korea, Mexico and Sweden



GROUP G

Belgium, England, Panama and Tunisia



GROUP H

Colombia, Japan, Poland and Senegal