World cup 2010 kicked off with a cracking game between the hosts South Africa and Mexico setting the stage for an exciting month of action with 1 game down and 63 to go.
But the great African party lost some of its oomph with the announcement that Nelson Mandela’s great-grandaughter was fatally injured in a car crash returning from the pre-world cup 2010 concert.
Understandably, Nelson Mandela was unable to attend the opening ceremony that would put South Africa centre stage in world news for the next 4 weeks.
The game lived up to the hype surrounding the buildup to the FIFA World Cup 2010, with South Africa putting on a great show for all of Africa.
The sounds and energy within the stadium is unique to Africa and while it can get irritating to those not used to the atmosphere certainly spurred on Bafana Bafana, as the South African team are affectionately known, to give a competitive perfomance.
Bafana Bafana started nervously and with Mexico calling the shots nearly conceded several times in the first half. But they started the second half more confidently with some great one-touch football, taking the lead from a great counter attack and stunning finish from man of the match Siphiwe Tshabalal. The goal was celebrated with a stadium eruption that resonated throughout South Africa.
Feeling the game slipping away from them Mexico turned up the pressure and were rewarded with an equaliser from a set-piece with the game ending in a draw.
So the benchmark has been set for an exciting month of footballing action we’ve all been waiting 4 years for, and hopefully we won’t be disappointed.
South Africa World cup 2010 [HD] official anthem
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Cup party starts, mourning Mandela absent : Drummers and dancers wowed fans at South Africa’s Soccer City stadium in a glittering prelude to Friday’s World Cup kickoff, but Nelson Mandela’s absence after a family tragedy cast a cloud over the party.
Hosts South Africa held 1-1 by Mexico : A stunning goal from Siphiwe Tshabalala almost gave hosts South Africa the perfect start to the World Cup before they were held to a 1-1 draw in front of almost 85,000 fans at Soccer City on Friday.
Bafana Bafana held in opener : South Africa were denied a dream start to the 2010 World Cup after their opening Group A encounter with Mexico ended 1-1.
Nelson Mandela great-granddaughter killed in crash caused by drunk-driver : A suspected drunk-driver caused a car crash today that killed the 13-year-old great-granddaughter of Nelson Mandela, according to police.
