SA: WC 2010 fever builds up

  1. Posted on Tuesday 16 March 2010 - 11:45
    Gbentil
    Image of Gbentil
    Glorea Bentil, AfricaNews reporter in Accra, Ghana Photo: Lameck
    South Africans are anxiously awaiting the commencement of the World Cup and people on the streets have confidence it is going to be one of the most remembered tournament ever. For them the June - July global football fiesta must not go pass any African and every country on the continent must rally their support for a successful game.
    South Africans celebrate World Cup Photo: Lameck
    According to Goal.com the mood in major host city Johannesburg, where two of the stadiums to be used at the tournament are situated, is indescribable. Laura, a florist at a shopping centre in Bedfordview is awaiting the competition with anticipation.

    “This World Cup is going to be such a proud moment for us South Africans, and we are hoping the month-long event goes very slowly so we can savour every moment and remember it for a very long time.”

    Munye is a groundskeeper at a local park in Kensington, Johannesburg, and he is keen to see the influx of supporters from other countries so that they can experience the beauty of South Africa.

    “People from outside South Africa must come and celebrate this World Cup with us. We will be welcoming everyone who comes and showing them our way of life and the wonderful things about this country of ours,” said Munye. “We are proudly South African and we want visitors to feel like they are at home in our country.”

    Albert is a coffee shop manager at Greenstone Mall, and he has tickets to follow Portugal throughout the country as they attempt to shake off a tough challenge from Brazil, Ivory Coast and North Korea.

    “I will be having the time of my life during the World Cup, following my heroes and hopefully seeing them get far in the tournament in my own country, where I am able to travel and feel at home, while experiencing a once in a lifetime event. I will follow Portugal until the quarter-finals with my tickets, and then I will be a permanent fixture at the training sessions and watch the other games, if they go far, in the fan parks in Johannesburg,” said the Portuguese supporter.

    Graham is an accountant working in Auckland Park, and he is pleased to have a ticket to the opening match of the competition, the meeting between South Africa and Mexico.

    Graham told Goal.com: “The match puts us against a tough side, but hopefully the fans in Soccer City on June 11 can make the difference that will push Bafana on to victory. I have seen pictures of the stadium and it looks magnificent, I look forward to the opening game so I can be one of the 91,000 fans in the stadium."

    Excitement continues to build, and with time ticking away before the start of the World Cup, South Africa will soon welcome fans, players and the world football family for a month-long party on a new continent.

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