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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. |
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发表于 2016-7-10 15:19:30