Bafana Bafana, the South African national team, nearly provided the World Cup host country with the perfect start to the tournament, drawing the opening game 1-1 with Mexico in a dramatic encounter that appeared to match the spirit and excitement of its football-mad fans.
A fine goal early in the second half by midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala was greeted rapturously by all but a smattering of the 84,490 fans in the Soccer City stadium in Soweto, located on the fringes of the Sowetan townships.
Across the country, South Africans have been caught up in a wave of euphoria in the build-up to the start of the first ever World Cup tournament in Africa.
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