2010 - Bafana Bafana make us all proud

Bafana Bafana make us all proud

Written by Ndaba Dlamini

Friday, 26 June 2009

They may have lost to Brazil in the dying minutes of the game - by a single goal - but Bafana Bafana held their own against one of the best teams in the world. And that is something to blow the vuvuzelas about.

Ellis Park Stadium buzzes with football fans

BAFANA BAFANA are out of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, but they have bowed out with their heads held high.

The final takes place at Ellis Park Stadium

At a scintillating match played at Ellis Park Stadium on a chilly Thursday night, Brazil just managed to edge out a determined Bafana Bafana by one goal to nil, courtesy of a free kick from Daniel Alves.

However, Joburg fans can look forward to yet another fiery match when Brazil meet the United States in the cup final at the same venue on Sunday, 28 June. Tickets for the game have already been sold out, according to FIFA.

USA qualified for the final after pipping Spain by two goals to nil at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Wednesday, 24 June.

Final
For the final game on Sunday, kicking off at 8.30pm, the City of Johannesburg has urged fans to get to the stadium as early as possible.

"We are encouraging Joburg fans to come fill up the stadium. They should come and experience the fun and the game," says Christa Venter, the director of 2010 operations.

She urges ticket holders to use the successful iTransie 2 Ellis Park park and ride facilities organised by the City.

"Fans can use the free park and rides to and from the stadium on Sunday. The four park and rides are at Bez Valley Park, Nasrec Expo Centre, Wits West Campus and the Coca-Cola Dome."

She says people should use the Nasrec park and ride because "it has not been fully utilised" yet. "There is plenty of space there."

Park and rides will start running at 3pm on Sunday and the closing ceremony will begin at 7pm.

Since the Confederations Cup is a dry run for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, the success of the Festival of Champions will auger well for Joburg, she adds.

The semifinal
The semifinal between Bafana Bafana and Brazil was watched by more than 48 000 people who braved the freezing Johannesburg weather. But few felt the cold because of the hot action on the pitch.

Bafana Bafana made the country proud

Many fans were hoping for another surprise result after USA sent Spain packing. But it was not to be, with the Selacao snatching a late goal to break the hearts of many South Africans.

President Jacob Zuma, who was watching the game from the VIP suite together with dignitaries like FIFA president Sepp Blatter, may have provided some inspiration for Bafana Bafana as they matched the much-fancied Brazilians man for man for the better part of the match.

As in previous Bafana Bafana matches, South African fans were delighted as they cheered their team on, blowing on their vuvuzelas and singing Shosholoza. Occasionally, a Mexican wave swept through the stands, sending fans into a frenzy.

A few Brazilians, however, also made their presence felt, thumping on drums and waving Brazilian flags on the far eastern side of the stadium.

As the final whistle blew, highly dejected Bafana fans sat on the stands, contemplating the result. Though disappointed, there was almost universal praise from spectators for the team for holding their own against one of the finest football teams in the world.

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