Comments on: DEBATE - JABULANI: EXCITING OR ERRATIC?

By: John

John — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 17:24:16 +0000

Why didn’t FIFA use an African made ball in the World Cup? Top quality balls are made in Kenya and Zambia by a company called Alive and Kicking. This would have added to the economic legacy in Africa too – which is lacking from this tournament.

By: Ali

Ali — Tue, 25 May 2010 14:39:36 +0000

i own the ball. the official match ball. and honestly i think it’s great. i dont think there is any problem with it. i think it’s the best ball out there.

By: mj

mj — Tue, 25 May 2010 03:38:39 +0000

just being a collegiate player you play with many different brands and styles of balls ranging from the crappiest heaviest kinds to the lightest most unpredictable kind. the same debate was brought up during the 06 world cup and were put to be and that ball is now used in tournaments across the world including the champions league. the same thing will happen with this ball this is all just speculation.

By: zizou wannabe

zizou wannabe — Tue, 25 May 2010 02:57:04 +0000

I’ve tried the ball in a 11v11 match and personally dont think its that bad, but yes, definitely not favourite ball of all time.

But from a TV viewer perspective (and I am paying a lot in Singapore to watch it…), more goals, more unpredictability, more excitement!!!

Bring on the Jabulani!!!

By: Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 25 May 2010 00:48:18 +0000

If only Juninho was selected to play for Brazil, imagine the ridiculous movement he could get with the ball. He could make it zig zag!!

By: Teyson

Teyson — Mon, 24 May 2010 21:43:16 +0000

i play with the ball and i have to say (as a striker) it is very exciting to play with it but really there has only been one instance where i have seen my shot move abnormally in the air. apart from that i find that i can get the same amount of dip that i do with other balls and the same amount and its the type of ball that can completely elude you if u loose focus. i think it will be beneficial for the world cup because it will separate the men from the boys, those who stay focus and those who loose focus. my only complain is that, if the ball is not pumped up well enough and it is light, it is very easy to launch it from anywhere but if it is too heavy then it is particularly very difficult to use. really once uve adjusted ull be fine

By: Stian

Stian — Mon, 24 May 2010 19:40:14 +0000

Have played with the Jabulani. Its great ball for short passes, put when you put power into it it gets too unpredictable. Adidas kind of say they want more goals. I want good goals, goals that’s put into the top corner. Not goals because of of a unnatural movements that fools the keeper. The Teamgaist is probably the best ball I’ve ever used, why don’t stick to it? I think Adidas balls are the only with a big unpredictability-problem, but they are also the best when it comes to touch…

By: ricardo7

ricardo7 — Mon, 24 May 2010 19:23:26 +0000

I recently used this ball in a match and i’m the kind of player who likes to burn defenders them slot it in the bottom corner, but when I got off the shot I either hit it to the corner flag or hit a ridiculous upper 90 shot. This ball is a piece of crap way ahead of its time.

By: Sean

Sean — Mon, 24 May 2010 17:46:26 +0000

I think it’s very fair cause both of the teams get to take the full advantage of the features of the jabulani. It’s just up to the footballers to cope up with the ball’s unpredictable behavior. I guess that’s their job right?

By: Theo

Theo — Mon, 24 May 2010 15:58:27 +0000

After attending Turkiye v Czech Republic and Juve v NY Red Bulls games both using the MLS version of the Jabulani, I think it’s safe to say the balls did their part in producing pretty decent goals and entertaining matches… I’m not sure how altitudes and the air in south africa will react the balls but this is going to be a good world cup ball….. I CAN FEEL IT!