Sport World sport
It was so close as Bafana Bafana began a new era in South African soccer on Friday.
Bafana did themselves and South Africa proud and are still in the World Cup after their pulsating 1-1 draw with the 17tth best side in world soccer, Mexico, in the historic opening match of the 2010 World Cup finals played in front of a capacity crowd at Soccer City on Friday.
The woodwork saved favourites Mexico when a shot from striker Katlego Mphela cannoned off the post in the last minute. The groan of the Bafana fans could have been heard as far as Cape Town.
But Bafana showed that they are going to be a force to be reckoned with during the tournament and in the near future. This draw stretches Bafana's unbeaten record to 13 matches under head coach Carlos Alberto Parreira. What makes this draw special was the fact Bafana were outplayed in the first half but stormed back after halftime, dug deep and showed tremendous character by taking the game by the scruff of the neck. They took the lead in the 55th minute by what could become one of the goals of the tournament by new rising star Siphiwe Tshabalala.
The tournament was opened to much fanfare by SA President Jacob Zuma accompanied by Fifa president Sepp Blatter.
Mexico were on top in an action packed first 45 minutes. The Mexican fans drowned out the vuvuzelas and the shell-shocked Bafana fans in the capacity crowd. Nerves seemed to get to Bafana playing at home, in front of 84 950 spectators in the opening 2010 World Cup Group A clash at the new multi billion Soccer City in the opening period.
