SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: Soweto explodes with football fever as the World Cup trophy goes on display

Record ID: 452627

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: Soweto explodes with football fever as the World Cup trophy goes on display
  • Date: 5th June 2010
  • Summary: CHILDREN ARRIVING TO SEE THE TROPHY
  • Embargoed: 20th June 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Lifestyle,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA7IQNO9R8XHFGEFPALL98M9ZSB
  • Story Text: Children with their faces painted in the colours of World Cup countries, young and old, all gathered to see the trophy as the football frenzy hit fever pitch in the Johannesburg township of Soweto on Friday (June 4).
    South Africa's World Cup opening game in seven days time will for many fulfil a dream that began with the release of Nelson Mandela from an apartheid jail in 1990. Tens of thousands are expected to take the once-in-a-lifetime chance to have a glimpse of the precious trophy.
    The scene of much of the internal unrest against apartheid in the 1970s and 80s and today rife with crime, Soweto is considered a dangerous area, so residents said it was an honour to have the World Cup in their township.
    "It was very excellent, I think this cup is going to remain in South Africa. That is why I am happy, because this belongs to South Africa," said Sizwe Nation.
    While Sziwe might be a little optimistic for Bafana Bafana's chances, seeing the cup still meant a lot to those who cannot afford tickets to the stadiums or see the teams in person.
    "I am very happy, I'm very happy," Wellington Rorwana said. "That is why I wanted to come and see it, because I won't be able to go to the stadiums."
    Rorwana said that he did not think having the World Cup tournament in South Africa would change very much in Soweto once the players had gone, but he said it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the trophy, and something his ancestors would never had had the chance to do under the apartheid regime.
    "Oh my gosh, it was so beautiful," said one girl about the solid gold trophy, "I haven't seen something so beautiful in I don't know how long. It's here! We are feeling it!"
    The 18-carat gold cup will be on display in the Soweto community for two days as part of the finale of its tour through Africa.
    The organisers say the biggest crowds they have had on the tour through Africa was around 20,000, and they expect that to be topped by the soccer fans in Soweto.
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