News24 | Cherry’s pick: Cape Town octopus predicts the winner of Bafana vs Mexico

Paul the octopus made headlines 16 years ago for his “superpower” predictions ahead of football’s most popular showpiece: the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Now, Cherry the octopus, the Two Oceans Aquarium’s resident cephalopod, has made her own prediction for Thursday night’s opening game between Bafana Bafana and Mexico in Mexico City.

“Cherry was presented with two options representing the competing national teams. After a short period of deliberation, she eventually chose…”

You can watch the video to see who Cherry thinks the winner will be. Clue: It’s good news for those who like salsa with their calamari.

“Cherry’s prediction is a fun way to connect people with South Africa’s amazing marine life,” said Taygan Roberts, aquarist and octopus keeper at the aquarium.

“Octopuses are remarkably intelligent animals, and while we can’t guarantee her football knowledge, she certainly made her choice with confidence,“ said Roberts.

Due to their intelligence, the amazing species needs to keep mentally stimulated before being released back into the ocean.

Roberts does this by hiding her favourite foods in jars, tubes and boxes, providing tactile toys, and conducting interactive sessions.

Whether Bafana Bafana triumph or not, Cherry won the hearts of the aquarium family.

Paul the octopus shot to international fame after “correctly” predicting the results of international football matches between 2008 and 2010.

Paul correctly chose the winning team in four of Germany’s six Euro 2008 matches, and all seven of their matches in the 2010 World Cup – including Germany’s match for third place win over Uruguay on 10 July.

He also correctly chose Spain as the winner of Mzansi’s World Cup in 2010. He amassed an overall record of 12 correct predictions out of 14.

He died later that year, in October, with an 85% success rate. A worthy record.

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