"Viva Bafana Bafana!"
Logan and I didn’t have tickets to the opening match of the World Cup. And in some ways, I’m glad. The experience we enjoyed at a gathering of some 30,000 South African locals in the northeastern part of the country was one that I’ll never forget.
South Africans, who had been anticipating the start of this World Cup since they were named the 2010 hosts six years ago, woke up Friday morning ready to support their home side. Gardeners, shop-keepers, taxi drivers and everyone in between wore their yellow and green jerseys. South African flags lined the streets, hung in store windows, and flew on cars throughout the country.
We watched the opening match at a rugby stadium in Nelspruit, one of the host cities. Arriving a few hours before game-time, we bought some replica South African jerseys, and prepared for the most anticipated soccer game ever to be played on African soil. Prior to the game we watched the official opening ceremonies for the tournament, and as it neared game time the stands and playing surface of the Nelspruit stadium became entirely jam-packed, shoulder to shoulder with South Africans. Game on.
The match didn’t disappoint. South Africa’s team, nicknamed “Bafana Bafana,” had the entire country behind them, including the fan-fest’s crowd. With Vuvuzelas blaring, the fans danced and cheered through a scoreless first half. Logan and I made friends with a few locals and enjoyed the passion in the stadium as South Africans savored the moment.
When the second half started, we made our way to the middle of the mayhem to take pictures of the scene. As we started to move back towards our seats, we caught a glimpse of the play building up on the big screen: a South African player broke loose with the ball in the mid-field, and played it through to a Striker who received it well in space. Two beautiful touches later, the ball was in the back of the net. South Africa’s team – the unlikely underdogs – shocked Mexico and scored the first goal of the tournament in beautiful fashion.
It was at that moment that Logan and I were given a true South African welcome to the World Cup. I watched a grown man, cigarette hanging from the side of his mouth, jump on my younger brother – throwing his arms around his neck and his legs around his waist. Logan – unfazed – proceeded to twirl the two of them in circles, cheering uncontrollably. It would have made a great picture; and I would have taken it, had I not been in the middle of a series of my own hugs and screams of “Viva, Bafana! Bafana!”
The colorful crowd, the proud flags, and the ear-shattering noise set the tone for an exciting World Cup in which the home team will be a true competitor. Enjoy the pictures!
