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The events of Friday 11 June in Johannesburg are set to write a new chapter in football history, in the shape of South Africa versus Mexico: the Opening Match of the first ever FIFA World Cup™ finals to be held on African soil and the 19th overall.
Ahead of the big kick-off, set for 16.00 local time, both of the host country’s national anthems - Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika and Die Stem Van Suid Afrika – will be pla in front of some 90,000 fans packing the Soccer City Stadium and millions watching across the globe. What is more, as the atmosphere buzzes and anticipation levels reach fever pitch, it will surely cross the minds of those looking on just how much South Africa has changed over the past two decades. Indeed, it was only in February 1990 that Nelson Mandela was released from prison, while it was in June of the following r that Frederik de Klerk’s government abolished Apartheid. The 'Rainbow Nation' had finally returned the world fold.
Bafana Bafana must put all this symbolism and emotion aside and focus purely on the job at hand if they wish to make a positive start to a tough-looking Group A. South Africa have never previously reached the knockout stages at the global showpiece, whereas opening rivals Mexico are taking part in their 14th finals. The other match in the section is equally decisive, with Germany 2006 runners-up France, less than convincing in qualification, taking on a Uruguay side whose last three finals berths have all been sealed via a play-off.
The matches
South Africa - Mexico, Group A, Johannesburg, 16.00 (local time)
Uruguay - France, Group A, Cape Town, 20.30 (local time)
The big game
South Africa – Mexico
As the first African country to host the FIFA World Cup, South Africa will be determined not to go down in history as the first host nation to exit after the first round. Though their fortunes have dipped since winning the CAF African Cup of Nations in 1996, Bafana Bafana’s displays at last r’s FIFA Confederations Cup proved they do have the talent and wherewithal to make an impact.
And though captain and defensive rock Aaron Mokoena has endured a tough season at Premier League strugglers Portsmouth, where he was often deplo in an unfamiliar holding midfield role, midfield dynamo Steven Pienaar has gone from strength to strength at Everton. Under experienced Brazilian boss Carlos Alberto Parreira, the South Africans have grown in stature during recent series of friendlies, including a notable 1-0 win over Denmark, and will be keen to keep that momentum going against Mexico.
El Tri, for their part, have been rejuvenated since Javier Aguirre retook the helm with his country struggling to stay afloat in the North, Central America and Caribbean Zone. Now boasting a blend of top-class veterans such as Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez and youngsters like Carlos Vela and Giovanni Dos Santos, part of the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Cup-winning ‘Golden Generation’, Mexico have looked an extremely quick and dangerous proposition in recent friendlies against England, the Netherlands and Italy.
