SOUTH Africans were feeling nostalgic yesterday, with posts on social websites expressing memories on the anniversary of the opening day of the 2010 World Cup of Siphiwe Tshabalala's fantastic goal against Mexico at FNB Stadium.
It was a day - unlike Brazil, as their tournament kicks off tonight in Sao Paulo - where South Africans could crack open a beer and enjoy the opening match of the first World Cup in Africa.
Six years' hard work had seen SA impressively ahead of schedule at every inspection. By the end of the tournament, Fifa president Sepp Blatter gave SA a nine out of 10 for a glittering clockwork-run World Cup that defied international expectations of crime and failure.
In Brazil, construction companies have been in a frantic rush to complete stadiums, including tonight's venue. The Arena de Sao Paulo has suffered one setback after another, including a crane collapsing that killed two construction workers in November.
The nightmare continues. On Wednesday a worker was killed in an accident on the construction of a monorail from Sao Paulo's airport, a project that was already symptomatic of Brazil's chaotic preparations as it was supposed to be ready in time for the World Cup.
Blatter has said no country has been worse prepared.
"No country has been so far behind in preparations since I have been at Fifa, even though it is the only host nation that has had so much time - seven years - in which to prepare."
The government asserted after Brazil won its bid in 2007 that stadiums would be privately funded. Revelations that public funds were used prompted street protests that should persist through the tournament.
But there are no more passionate fans than those of Brazil, population 200 million.
If the Selecao, led by the prince of Brazilian football, Neymar, can cope with home pressure, turn it to an advantage, and get off to a winning start tonight against Croatia (10pm SA time), the lateness of the stadiums and incomplete airports will play second fiddle to a month of samba in the stands.
lSee page 24
SA nostalgic - memories of 2010 revived as Brazil kicks off
SOUTH Africans were feeling nostalgic yesterday, with posts on social websites expressing memories on the anniversary of the opening day of the 2010 World Cup of Siphiwe Tshabalala's fantastic goal against Mexico at FNB Stadium.
It was a day - unlike Brazil, as their tournament kicks off tonight in Sao Paulo - where South Africans could crack open a beer and enjoy the opening match of the first World Cup in Africa.
Six years' hard work had seen SA impressively ahead of schedule at every inspection. By the end of the tournament, Fifa president Sepp Blatter gave SA a nine out of 10 for a glittering clockwork-run World Cup that defied international expectations of crime and failure.
In Brazil, construction companies have been in a frantic rush to complete stadiums, including tonight's venue. The Arena de Sao Paulo has suffered one setback after another, including a crane collapsing that killed two construction workers in November.
The nightmare continues. On Wednesday a worker was killed in an accident on the construction of a monorail from Sao Paulo's airport, a project that was already symptomatic of Brazil's chaotic preparations as it was supposed to be ready in time for the World Cup.
Blatter has said no country has been worse prepared.
"No country has been so far behind in preparations since I have been at Fifa, even though it is the only host nation that has had so much time - seven years - in which to prepare."
The government asserted after Brazil won its bid in 2007 that stadiums would be privately funded. Revelations that public funds were used prompted street protests that should persist through the tournament.
But there are no more passionate fans than those of Brazil, population 200 million.
If the Selecao, led by the prince of Brazilian football, Neymar, can cope with home pressure, turn it to an advantage, and get off to a winning start tonight against Croatia (10pm SA time), the lateness of the stadiums and incomplete airports will play second fiddle to a month of samba in the stands.
lSee page 24
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