Thursday 11th June – 8:00pm BST

🌍 FIFA World Cup – Group A ⚽

🇲🇽 Mexico vs. South Africa 🇿🇦

*Please be advised that the price has now increased to 26.00 (25/1). While this remains a reasonable price, it is advisable to wait until closer to the game in case the price rises again.

Our first tip of the World Cup is a literal long shot. You see, for the last two years, I have watched and made notes on every single qualifier for the World Cup, and the majority of friendlies for the 48 teams that have qualified. Opta does not collect all data for some of the confederations… but I do. Every shot, every chance of a goal, if a video camera catches it, I mark it down. Why? Because the past two World Cup’s the bookies open the markets right up and you can get a headed shot on target for a lad who plays in an obscure league and many, many times the prices are way too high and boy, have I profited!!!

So… South Africa’s central defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi, now of the Chicago Fire, is one of the players I have been most impressed with over the last two years. The 20-year-old stocky centre-back only played three games in qualifying but in the 2-1 friendly defeat to Panama in March earlier this year, he really opened my eyes.

NOTE: There are conflicting reports indicating that Mbokazi might face suspension for this game. Stay tuned to the socials for updates.

I hadn’t noticed his ability to strike a ball with his left foot before, but he showed the world twice what he is capable of. On 64 minutes, with his side a goal down, he glided into position around 25 yards out, spun on his left foot and fired a shot a goal with some venom. The Panamanian keeper managed to parry but no chance of holding the power.

Minutes later, he appeared again near the box on his right foot and looked to shoot but ended up passing out to the right, literally five seconds later, he received the ball again. Closed down by the defender, Mbokazi slipped him and with the ball onto to his left foot and delivered a thunderous shot into the top corner of the goal. An absolutely stunning strike.

In addition, during the African Cup of Nations, he failed to hit the target but got three shots from way, way out in the four matches he started. One of them, versus Angola, smashed the crossbar so hard, the sound it made you think it would need repairing. Taking shots with that left foot is definitely on his radar.

If I can get 50/1 for this lad for all three group games, I’m on it. Against Mexico however, will he get the space to get a shot off, perhaps not, but like the goal he scored, he might be able to find the space himself. This is not a 50/1 shot in my opinion.

As you can see below I back all the tips posted here.

VIDEO OF SHOTS AND GOAL DISCUSSED BELOW

Thanks for reading and good luck.

WILL BURNS

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