With only thirty-odd days to go before the 2010 Football World Cup kicks off in South Africa, the majority of the local inhabitants are embracing this showpiece with more than just enthusiasm.
The eye-catching Stadiums in all the 10-host cities have been completed, and now just the finishing touches remain, regarding refurbishments to roads.
For someone who has seen at least two of the stadiums in all their glory, they sure are great spectacles to behold.
Despite the Local Organising Committee’s chief executive, Danny Jordaan, having admitted they will not be expecting the same amount of overseas fans they had initially banked on to attend the global showpiece in South Africa, there is still huge interest from abroad.
Fans should not expect a European World Cup or an America’s World Cup experience – it will be truly an African experience.
Something different, yet something special say the local tourism bodies.
But as far as the fortunes of the South African national team are concerned, the views are mixed among locals. Having excelled at the Confederations Cup tournament in their home country last June, the South African team, also known as Bafana Bafana (meaning ‘Boys’ in local dialect), have flattered to deceive after that tournament.
The national team, which, of course, received automatic qualification because they are the host country for the World Cup, could not even qualify for the African Cup of Nations this past January in Angola.
The Africa Cup of Nations is a tournament played every two years, and like the best in the Euro competition, brings the top teams together to fight it out for the mantle of the best national side in Africa.
South African soccer fans were no doubt upset at the failure, but were forced to accept the disappointment and looked further ahead to the World Cup.
What South Africa’s players may lack in the finer technical skills at international level they make up with a flair and a natural feel for the game. However, as coach Parreira has emphasised, it is their lack of goal-scoring prowess that is a huge cause for concern.
And it’s not like fans haven’t cottoned on to it by now.
It’s a malaise that filters through from South Africa’s club Premier League soccer set-up – the lack of goalscorers of note.
However, the most ardent and faithful of fans are hoping that, especially after Everton’s Steven Pienaar and a hopefully in-form Benni McCarthy of West Ham returns, along with Portsmouth’s Aaron Mokoena, South Africa’s fortunes will change for the better on home soil.
And with all the support they are bound to get at home, don’t bet against Bafana at least getting to the second round of the World Cup.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Salah was dropped from the starting side for the visit to London - and the striker was involved in a furious confrontation with Klopp…
Liverpool have fallen further out of contention for the Premier League title - but that's perhaps the least of Jurgen Klopp's problems. Just as…
Liverpool have reached a verbal agreement with Feyenoord for their head coach Arne Slot to succeed Jurgen Klopp at the end of the season.…
The past 18-24 months have been an enjoyable ride for Arsenal and their fan-base after almost a decade of turbulence. Mikel Arteta has been…
Manchester City have chalked up another big win in their hunt for an unprecedented fourth straight Premier League title, with Phil Foden continuing his…
Here is the way the Roar expert panel sees all the action unfolding across the final weekend of play prior to the semi-finals.
