JOHANNESBURG - The 2010 FIFA World Cup has done so much for South Africa, and, on a personal level, it has left fans with some great memories. The Zimbabwean asked a few fans to share their favourite World Cup moments.
For Tendai Sean Joe, an NGO leader, the World Cup was all about the unity factor. “When Bafana Bafana scored their first goal in the World Cup and all South Africans came together, black, white and green sang Shosholoza”.
Joe added, “On the eve of the World Cup opening ceremony a friend and I joined a 5000-strong crowd that ran across the street of Pretoria celebrating the World Cup, that was memorable. Also, when Ghana played against Uruguay and they lost”.
Magazine sub-editor, Thamashni Naidoo, who went to the final said her favourite moment was winning two tickets to the match. “Watching my team (Spain) get crowned as the World Cup champions at the stadium for the first time ever was among the many memorable moments,” said Naidoo.
Peggy Bzinkiewicz, a French resident working in South Africa, was blown away by the German side.
I was really impressed by Germany. I wouldn’t have expected them to win 4-nil against Argentina. The Spanish after the final was also a great moment seeing the emotions of the players, like Iker Casillas crying”.
It seems like Bafana Bafana’s Siphiwe Tshabalala left an impression on most South African football fans and Tom Mokorosi, is just one.
“My favourite moment was when Tshabalala scored the opening goal, the whole nation stood as one. I burst into tears. All the pressure of not being able to host – not having a good enough team – nobody being able to score with the beach ball went out the window in a flash of historical genius. Priceless!”
Johannesburg Advocate Lenette Pillay concurs, “Tshabalala’s opening goal, definitely. Also, seeing Brazil play for the first time was amazing. The pitch is huge. My TV screen deceives me when I watch it at home. An experience I would never have dreamed off or had but for our hosting this event. Jumping off the seat when SA scored against France”.
Cape Town therapist Melana Gerber, who confessed to never watching football prior to the World Cup, said the Ghana versus Uruguay match left her in tears.
“The very first goal of the Word Cup, party with friends for the opening, before this I had never watched a game of football in my life! Now I love it. I now understand why it is called the beautiful game and I have become a new convert to this sport that brings together people from all over, I am just sorry that there is very little good football to watch if you do not have MNet but be sure I will be watching Brazil 2014,” said Gerber.
Also, the men are gorgeous said Gerber. “Cristiano Ronaldo – dreamy and David Villa is so yummy and of course my favourite is Sergio Ramos.”
Durban fan, Kandice Naicker, who watched the World Cup final with her family, said the event has really brought people together in a “positively wonderful way”.
“I also loved watching Lionel Messi – I love his humility despite his enormous talent. The diski dance – The children really had loads of fun doing it at school and the beautiful World Cup songs. Also, the Fan Parks for the awesome atmosphere. This is the first time I have ever really taken an interest in soccer and I love it. It was wonderful to share something with my husband that he feels so passionately about,” said Naicker.
Ulrike Frudenberg, a German living in Amsterdam, was in South Africa during the 2006 World Cup.
“The World Cup this year was special, as the last time I had followed a World Cup was in Cape Town. I met my boyfriend there. It’s also very related and special. My favourite moment was watching Wesley Sneijder play.”
Mnotho Mtshali, University of Cape Town student, who did many road trips during the World Cup, said his favourite moment was at Soccer City when “Africa played against Uruguay, it was the most emotional sporting moment ever. I felt it”.
Football enthusiast Venella Govender enjoyed the entire tournament because of her love for the sport. But watching Germany play live at the Moses Mabhida stadium while partying with her family and the German fans at the game, was Govender’s favourite moment.
Post published in: Football