Bafana Bafana V.S. Cote d' Ivoire

Yesterday, we had the privilege of attending a soccer match at The Nelson Mandela Stadium between Bafana Bafana (South Africa's National Team) and Cote d' Ivoire (The Ivory Coast). This opportunity almost didn't come to fruition, as we heard that the game was sold out. However, after talking with Mr. January and expressing our sincere interest on seeing this athletic spectacle, he made a few phone calls and was able to get tickets for our group.

The stadium was breath taking. A giant 48,000 person, feat of modern engineering, that was erected in 2009 to host  some of the prominent matches of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Walking up to the stadium, there was an array of vendors selling, T-shirts, flags, and Vuvuezas (the eye piercing horns that supporters use to cheer on their team.) After taking several laps around the stadium in search of our section, we finally made it to our seats. From high up in the stands we had a prime vantage point of the field below. After about 45 minutes of watching the teams warm up, and the singing of each national anthem, it was time for the game to commence.

This would be my first international soccer experience, so I was ecstatic. From the start of the match, The Ivory Coast  controlled the ball and used their power forwards to control the tempo of the game, amassing several shots on net early on. After about 20 minutes of play, the sloppy footwork of a South African sweeper who was trying to clear the ball, let an own goal slip past his feet. This was an upsetting start to the game, and you could see the distress and anguish in the faces of the fuming South African fans that surrounded us.

Fortunately, this devastating goal seemed to ignite the fire underneah them and South Africa stepped up their game big time. They started playing with a more aggressive style. Rather than staying back on defense, they began stacking their forwards, giving their strikers a handful of opportunities to score. Bafana set up a few beautiful plays, and was doing a great job working the ball around, however, they failed to find the back of the net. It wasn't until they received a penalty shot that their star striker was able to put South Africa on the board, tying the game at 1-1. The stadium erupted into a cacophonous frenzy of cheering, applause, and the piercing sound of vuvuezas. The passion was overwhelming, and I have never experienced this much love for a sport. Unfortunately, South Africa was unable to capitalize again, and after 90 minutes of play, the game ended in a tie.

Although, it would have been nice to see Bafana Bafana, achieve a triumphant victory, it was a great experience non-the less. The enthusiasm and passion for soccer that the South African fans exemplified, was profound and is a testament to their love of life. Since arriving in South Africa, I have been thoroughly impressed with the generosity and kindness of everyone we have met. It seems that South Africans truly are a passionate people, who wear their hearts on their sleeves, and live life to the fullest. As Americans, we have a  lot to learn from these passionate people.