Opening Match: Bafana Bafana vs. Mexico

Group A. Soccer City, Johannesburg


Bafana 1-1 Mexico


Today we all wore yellow. The vuvuzelas sounded from dawn. Suddenly the World Cup was in our palms and ready take South Africa for the ride of its life. I can't tell you how stunning the atmosphere is. It's something new for the country, tasting togetherness and the pride. 

The opening ceremony was lovely, both African and classy. One of the dancers wearing the traditional skins had hung a camera, along with the lion claw necklace, around his neck. It showed that culture and the future would find a way to work together, even if it was in the smallest of gestures. The dung beetle was the most original entertainment I've seen in years, and the amazing thing was that it was trending on twitter. Everything trended on Twitter today, even Desmond Tutu's spirited dancing. 

The guys got off the bus seemingly relaxed, making me a bit worried. Perhaps all the support had gotten to them, and now they thought that they would just let the vuvuzelas do all the work. 

In the first few moments, the Mexicans just blinked as they saw a goal with virtually no defenders. I thought they would have taken advantage, seriously, it surprised me that it took so long for them to get a goal. Team S.A. was in shambles, they were like small hyper children fizzing around and clinging onto their fellow players. Either they were scattered all over or shivering in groups. 

The goal keeper saved them in those first harrowing moments and throughout the game. He is confident and calm, and a pretty good goalie. Imagine if they had somebody whose hand were threatening to fall off, and the vuvuzelas made him deaf, and the bright yellow shirts shone into his eyes. Hey, his name is kind of nice, Itumeleng Khune, it has rhythm.

Siphiwe Tshabalala's goal was mesmerizing. I was moping around, not looking at the screen, praying 'Oh Almighty, a goal!' and all praise to the Almighty, there it was. And what a stunner. It is one of those goals you won't forget. He was running, and with glorious power managed to shoot it straight home. I started screaming, yeah, and the vuvuzelas went wild. Their celebration [planned of course], was cool. Hey, they did well. 

Then on 79 minutes Mexico had to go and score, equalizing and leaving poor South Africa with only one point. As it were, there was nothing between the goals except air, and Rafael Marquez had the time to kick in the ball, and give them, finally, a goal. I thought Mexico would have scored many by then, but South Africa messed up way too many chances. Teko Modise, and that Katlego Mphela had to miss that last minute chance. I mean, really! 

So, quite an exciting opening match. I know, we wanted them to win, but we did get a draw. It's not so bad. After all, I saw many, especially the older people [no offence] who kept saying SA were going to lose the game, and fall to ridicule. They certainly lost themselves in that huge soccer city pitch, but they tried, and that is something to celebrate.

Bafana Bafana has not received much positive attention in these past years. We've complained about them, written them off, and thought that winning a local match was way beyond their capabilities. Many don't even know the players' names. It is only now that the country is cheering on our national soccer side, giving them shouts of encouragement, hoping for a miracle. It is not only for the soccer, it is for the nation.