SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - WORLD CUP 2010 - Colourful celebrations held to mark the opening the first World Cup on African soil

Record ID: 453814

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - WORLD CUP 2010 - Colourful celebrations held to mark the opening the first World Cup on African soil
  • Date: 12th June 2010
  • Summary: JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (JUNE 11, 2010) (REUTERS) WIDE OF CROWD WAVING FLAGS AND BLOWING VUVUZELAS GROUP OF FANS DANCING AND SINGING
  • Embargoed: 27th June 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAC9RS3078F47LUKYSD526RVH71
  • Story Text: World Cup excitement was palpable through out South Africa ahead of the opening of the first World Cup to be held on the continent and downtown Johannesburg -- well known for being the cultural headquarters of the city was not left behind in the celebrations.
    People came out in their numbers in Newtown to join in the festivities as the World Cup began on Friday (June 11).
    Even though Nelson Mandela cancelled his appearance at the opening after his great granddaughter was killed in a car crash, South Africans kept high spirits.
    Wearing Bafana Bafana jerseys and blowing vuvuzelas - plastic horns that has become synonymous with this World Cup, fans celebrated South African style.
    "This implies that its Africa's time, we gonna win tonight and its never gonna be the same, so Africa all the time," said Kokwana, one of many African football fans who hope the World Cup trophy will stay in the continent.
    South Africa's national team, Bafana Bafana, which meets Mexico in the first game of the tournament has massive home support as well as from outside the country.
    "I love Bafana Bafana and I support South Africa, Ayoba. I came from India you see, Samoa," said an unidentified fan.
    South Africans have embraced the tournament in a swell of national pride not seen since Mandela was released from prison in 1990 and the first all-race election four years later.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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