South Africa ready for World Cup party
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| Fans celebrate as they wait for the arrival of the South Africa's national soccer team "Bafana Bafana" during a parade on the streets of Sandton in Johannesburg June 9, 2010. |
In hotels and training grounds across the vast and beautiful nation, players and coaches of the 32 competing nations had their eyes set on an equally lofty goal - lifting the globe's most coveted sporting prize on July 11.
South Africa's President Jacob Zuma unrealistically urged the local Bafana Bafana (The Boys) team to bring him the trophy. But the more likely benefit for the hosts is a legacy of tourism, investment and greater social unity.
South Africa go into Friday's opener against Mexico brimming with confidence after a 12-match unbeaten run.
The majority of 90,000 people in Soccer City will be backing Bafana Bafana with a cacophony of vuvuzelas that have already become a symbol of South Africa 2010.
"This is big history, I can't believe it," local fan Alice Satege said, shaking with tears as she cheered a team parade.
Mexican fans laughing and singing under a statue of Nelson Mandela in sunny Johannesburg on Thursday said they had no qualms about spoiling the local party. Other pockets of fans chanted in multiple languages in Nelson Mandela Square.
Uruguay face France in the second match of the 64-game tournament's opening day. Among foreigners pouring in, none can have taken a more epic journey than a Uruguayan family which has driven 100,000 km across 41 nations in a tiny car since early 2007 before reaching the World Cup by ship.
Spain, Brazil favorites
For lowly-ranked South Africa, just reaching the second round - and not becoming the first host nation of a World Cup to go out at the start - would probably be triumph enough.
Other African nations like Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana have much stronger sides, though the loss of Didier Drogba and Michael Essien respectively are blows to their chances.
Few expect an end to Europe and South America's stranglehold on the World Cup, with Spain and Brazil everyone's favorites.
Argentina have arguably one of the most gifted sides, though their chances could depend on the chemistry between maverick manager Diego Maradona and brilliant forward Lionel Messi.
Usual wild expectations associated with England's team of Premier League players are tempered this time round after some unconvincing friendlies and injuries to key players. But if they win their Group C, they have a kind draw to the semifinals.
Away from speculation of what is to come on the pitch, Netherlands winger Eljero Elia sparked possibly the first major controversy of the tournament by appearing to insult Moroccans on a live streaming video.
"I want to apologize ... I am not a racist," he said.
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