Vuvuzelas to trumpet Africa's hour of glory
Source: Agencies |
June 11, 2010, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
"VUVUZELA" trumpets blasted and football chants rang out across South Africa on the eve of the continent's first World Cup which Africans hope will transform negative global perceptions of them.
Players and coaches of the 32 competing nations had their eyes set on an equally lofty goal - lifting the globe's most coveted sporting prize on July 11.
South Africa's President Jacob Zuma urged the local "Bafana Bafana" (The Boys) team to bring him the trophy. But the more likely benefit for the hosts is a legacy of tourism, investment and greater social unity.
South Africa goes into today's opener against Mexico brimming with confidence after a 12-match unbeaten run. The majority of 90,000 people in Soccer City will be backing Bafana Bafana with a cacophony of vuvuzelas that have already become a symbol of South Africa 2010.
"This is big history, I can't believe it," local fan Alice Satege said, shaking with tears as she cheered a team parade.
Mexican fans singing under a statue of Nelson Mandela in sunny Johannesburg said they had no qualms about spoiling the local party. Uruguay faces France in the second match of the 64-game tournament's opening day.
Among foreigners pouring in, none can have taken a more epic journey than a Uruguayan family who have driven 100,000km across 41 nations in a tiny car since early 2007 before reaching the World Cup by ship.
Spain, Brazil favorites
For lowly-ranked South Africa, just reaching the second round - and not becoming the first host nation of a World Cup to go out at the start - would probably be triumph enough. Other African nations like Ivory Coast and Ghana have much stronger sides, though the loss of Didier Drogba and Michael Essien respectively are a blow to their chances.
Few expect an end to Europe and South America's stranglehold on the World Cup, with Spain and Brazil everyone's favorites. Argentina has arguably one of the most gifted sides, though its chances could depend on the chemistry between maverick manager Diego Maradona and brilliant forward Lionel Messi.
Usual wild expectations associated with England's team of Premier League players are tempered this time round after some unconvincing friendlies and injuries to key players. But if it wins its Group C, it has a kind draw to the semifinals.
Netherlands winger Eljero Elia sparked possibly the first major controversy of the tournament by appearing to insult Moroccans on a live streaming video. "I want to apologize ... I am not a racist," he said.
Africans are praying the tournament will counter what they see as old caricatures of hunger, AIDS and crime in world media that fail to grasp the continent's modern face. Former political prisoner and president, Nelson Mandela, 91, intends to make an appearance, hoping to inspire the nation as he did for the Rugby World Cup in 1995 that South Africa won.
The party was to officially start late last night with a concert in South Africa's biggest township Soweto.
Players and coaches of the 32 competing nations had their eyes set on an equally lofty goal - lifting the globe's most coveted sporting prize on July 11.
South Africa's President Jacob Zuma urged the local "Bafana Bafana" (The Boys) team to bring him the trophy. But the more likely benefit for the hosts is a legacy of tourism, investment and greater social unity.
South Africa goes into today's opener against Mexico brimming with confidence after a 12-match unbeaten run. The majority of 90,000 people in Soccer City will be backing Bafana Bafana with a cacophony of vuvuzelas that have already become a symbol of South Africa 2010.
"This is big history, I can't believe it," local fan Alice Satege said, shaking with tears as she cheered a team parade.
Mexican fans singing under a statue of Nelson Mandela in sunny Johannesburg said they had no qualms about spoiling the local party. Uruguay faces France in the second match of the 64-game tournament's opening day.
Among foreigners pouring in, none can have taken a more epic journey than a Uruguayan family who have driven 100,000km across 41 nations in a tiny car since early 2007 before reaching the World Cup by ship.
Spain, Brazil favorites
For lowly-ranked South Africa, just reaching the second round - and not becoming the first host nation of a World Cup to go out at the start - would probably be triumph enough. Other African nations like Ivory Coast and Ghana have much stronger sides, though the loss of Didier Drogba and Michael Essien respectively are a blow to their chances.
Few expect an end to Europe and South America's stranglehold on the World Cup, with Spain and Brazil everyone's favorites. Argentina has arguably one of the most gifted sides, though its chances could depend on the chemistry between maverick manager Diego Maradona and brilliant forward Lionel Messi.
Usual wild expectations associated with England's team of Premier League players are tempered this time round after some unconvincing friendlies and injuries to key players. But if it wins its Group C, it has a kind draw to the semifinals.
Netherlands winger Eljero Elia sparked possibly the first major controversy of the tournament by appearing to insult Moroccans on a live streaming video. "I want to apologize ... I am not a racist," he said.
Africans are praying the tournament will counter what they see as old caricatures of hunger, AIDS and crime in world media that fail to grasp the continent's modern face. Former political prisoner and president, Nelson Mandela, 91, intends to make an appearance, hoping to inspire the nation as he did for the Rugby World Cup in 1995 that South Africa won.
The party was to officially start late last night with a concert in South Africa's biggest township Soweto.
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