As the Sporting Chance team we remember distinctively the 2010 countdown at the various airports reading over ‘1000 days’ to go and thinking that 2010 was so far away. The world was saying we couldn’t do it as our crime riddled country didn’t have the capacity or the infrastructure. FIFA were organizing back up plans while South Africans were putting their heads down and saying “WE WILL DO IT, WE WILL PROVE YOU WRONG!”
And WOW, so far haven’t we proved the cynics wrong?
As time flew bye and those countdown clocks ticked on, our inspirational Local Organising Committee and FIFA started to tick all their necessary boxes. In the past few weeks it has
dawned on the majority of South Africa that the long awaited and much talked about 2010 FIFA World Cup is actually here!
Our rainbow nation kicked into another gear, as the true spirit of ‘ubuntu’ and patriotism set in and we all embraced the opportunity to showcase our beautiful country on the largest
stage.
Ingenious entrepreneurs sprung up with any idea that displayed the SA flag… Car mirror covers, window flags, car magnets, makaraba’s and vuvuzela’s are at every street corner waiting to be owned and paraded proudly. Bafana Bafana merchandise has never been so popular and prices have soared as everyone wants to be a part of the yellow and green phenomenon. ‘Football Fridays’ started it all, but would we believe it would grow to this extent and mobilize our nation?
During our Sporting Chance projects we always talk about the ‘sense of belonging’ and how important it is to the children in our communities. Now we too are striving for that sense of belonging along over 49 million other South African’s. We are proud to be South African and let’s enjoy this magnificent global event and all that’s it’s bringing to our country!
The Sporting Chance 2010 FIFA World Cup adventure began on Friday 11th June 2010. The world held its breath as the first ever FIFA World Cup was to be kicked off on African soil and the Sporting Chance team can very proudly say “we were there”!
It’s been a busy and harrowing last few months, but we can definitely say the hard work has paid off. Amongst the 84 000 fans that packed the giant Calabash of Soccer City we were there clad in our Bafana Bafana gear and blowing our vuvuzela’s. What a privilege to be there to witness one of South Africa’s proudest moments. Just one scan around the massive stadium made you realize just how much the 2010 FIFA World Cup has united our rainbow nation. The stadium was yellow with patches of green and the odd section of Mexicans proudly waving their flags and sombreros’. Despite being in high spirits those Mexicans could only feel overwhelmed by the force of not only once country, but the whole African continent stacked against them.
The opening ceremony was short, but had a distinctive African flavour. We were perhaps expecting a bit more extreme choreography and fireworks, but if you saw the excitement of the children as they had finished their routine, you’ll know it achieved its objectives.
The wait in between the opening and the match was agonizing, but it gave us all an opportunity to try and take it all in – look around us and see the joy, excitement and anticipation in everybody’s eyes. Most of us were just coming to terms with having the privilege of being there as we attempted to appreciate this ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity.
Then ‘the boys’ as their Bafnana Bafana translation states came out for their warm up and you could no longer try and think, just blow on your vuvuzela and scream hysterically.
While the teams retreated to their change rooms for final preparations we stacked up on drinks and refreshments in anticipation for not wanting to leave our seats when the action began.
The teams were lead out onto the field with the player mascots alongside them. For everyone who was walking onto to that hallowed turf it was the ‘field of dreams’, the Promised Land they had worked so hard to get to. It is the pinnacle of the football world – the FIFA World Cup.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter, was greeted by vuvuzela chants for appreciation for the man who had so much belief in the African continent and who too much have felt his dream unfolding in front of him. Our controversial president Jacob Zuma soon joined him and despite the escapades of the past months we would pay tribute to the man who was leading our very proud country. The tragedy in the Mandela family kept the global icon away which was very unfortunate.
The Mexican anthem was sung and the groups of Mexicans bellowed out as loud as possible while the vuvuzelas where hushed in respect for our opposition.
‘Ke Nako’, It was time, with the biggest lumps in our throats we put our arms around each other and sang our hearts out as Nkosi Sikelele iAfrica echoed around our magnificent land.
Before we could wipe the odd sentimental tear from our eyes the two teams had taken the places on the immaculate manicured field and the long awaited 2010 FIFA World Cup was officially kicked off.
To avoid a ball by ball commentary, I will just say that every near goal attempt, crunching tackle or superior piece of skill was applauded as the whole stadium was enticed. The constant tone of the vuvuzela’s went up and down, but not for one moment did the supportive sound subside.
A tough first half for Bafana with the Mexicans dominating while having a goal disallowed in the 40th minute. The second half was a different story and perhaps the nerves had dissolved and the encouragement of the crowd had put extra wind into Bafana’s masterful feet.
In the 55th minute the Southern tip of Africa must have shuddered as the force of a nation leapt to their feet, cheered, hugged, high fived and blew their vuvuzelas as classy Bafana no.
8 Siphiwe Tshabalala expertly took his chance and finished off piercing passing with a blasting shot past the Mexican goalie. As back of the Mexican net moved, so did the hearts and hopes of every South African.
‘Our boys’ had become men and despite the Mexicans equalizing in the 79th minute, we are all paying homage to our national soccer team and their coaching staff for the miracles they
have made us believe in.
We back you Bafana!
Thank you to all who have allowed us to get here!
To the next adventure….