After all the naysayers who doubted the capabilities of South Africa as a nation to hold an event with the magnitude of the World Cup, questions were asked about the stadia, transport and safety of fans in the Springbok state. Today was the day of reckoning, could it prove itself a suitable host? Could the South Africa football side, Bafana Bafana, the lowest ranked hosts of all time, even provide a challenge for their opponents Mexico in the opening game of the 2010 World Cup?
For a country that seems to always be tinged with travesty, it was almost predictable that what should have been a day for triumphant joy and celebration had to begin with the tragic news that Nelson Mandela's 13 year old granddaughter Zenani Mandela was killed in a road accident last night. To add to the sombre tone to the opening ceremony, Clive Tyldsley announced the opera singer Siphiwo Ntshebe, 34, who was supposed to sing during said ceremony was pronounced dead 3 weeks ago after a long fight with meningitis.
Once the show was on the road though it was all business, as R Kelly and a humanised dung beetle wowed the crowd with their R'n'B scuttling dance moves. We then cut to the players tunnel, as an all dancing and all singing South Africa starting 11 psyched themselves up for the biggest game in their countries history. After some stalling from FIFA president Sepp Blatter to address the crowd, the South African players finally gathered for a huddle around Steven Pienaar in a symbolic showing that the nations hopes depended on the talented Everton man's shoulders.
The game itself was a barnstormer, with Mexico starting brightly, getting in behind the South African full backs at ease and supplying crosses for the wasteful Guillermo Franco. Despite the backing of a partisan 90,000 crowd, South Africa seemed out of their depth as they struggled to deal with the pace and technical ability of the sprightly Mexicans. Despite the poor first half showing from the host nation, they went into half time goalless, a perfectly acceptable scoreline against the superior El Tri.
The second half sprung to life with the opening goal of the tournament, as a loose ball in the midfield area led to a one touch move from South Africa that culminated in Teko Modise's inch perfect through ball to Siphiwe Tshabalala. As the ball sat up for him, he struck the ball perfectly into the right hand top corner of the net to send the South African fans into rapture and the noise levels inside Soccer City from the blowing Vuvuzelas went into overdrive.
Unfortunately, the underdogs could not hold onto the goal advantage, when in the 79th minute Barcelona's Rafael Marquez was left unmarked from Guardado's cross and he finished with aplomb to silence the previously incessant South African fans.
In injury time, a League Two style route one move cut open the surprised Mexican defence as South African goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, whose distribution was rapid all game, released Katlego Mphela with one long ball. The striker raced through but was denied by the foot of the post as I fell to the floor with my friend Tom in animated anguish.
I love the world Cup and this match reminded me why. There were two sides competing who I don't really care for, but with the unfolding drama in a World Cup match I fell into the trap of supporting the host nation as Bafana Bafana attempted to defy the odds and come away with 3 points against the much fancied Mexicans.
However, the less said about the evening game between Uruguay and France in a boring goalless draw the better. The only thing I will say is that it is right up there with Romania versus France in Euro 2008 for incredibly dull international matches. Thank you Raymond Domenech for taking a super power in world football like France and turning them into a disjointed sham of a team. (Cue World Cup win)
Player of the day: Mexico's goalkeeper Oscar Perez.
At 37 years old and at just 5'8 feet tall Perez entertained me more than any other today with his insistence to stand at least 10 yards off his line at all times, rushing out of his area to head the ball, and his general inability to catch a football. All of this whilst looking remarkably like Omid Djalili.... man of the touranment, hands Down!!! (Naturally)
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