Africa's 1st World Cup

With the sound of the vuvuzela becoming a distant echo, soccer’s great road show has passed for another term as it slowly embarks on its four-year voyage to Brazil and Rio’s Maracana stadium. But what can we make of the 2010 World Cup and Africa’s first staging of the globe’s grandest solo sporting event.

Having the privilege of being in South Africa during the tournament, one could see at first hand the celebration, colour, pageantry, and diverse cultures coming together as a festival type atmosphere had transfixed the rainbow nation as football’s biggest prize was being contested. Awash with hype and excitement, the competition was set alight by wonder strike from Bafana Bafana’s infectiously named Tshabalala in the giant ‘calabash’ arena known as the Soccer City stadium. However, the early round of matches were tentative if not uninspiring, watered down of any clear and apparent quality with only fleeting moments of brilliance. A theme that tended to lend itself during the tournament’s duration, posing thoughts that the FIFA 2010 World Cup did not live up to its preliminary top billing of on field excellence.

However, these fixtures did not pass without incident or intrigue as the French team’s internal squabbles if not brought international public shame, it left observers compelled to see how unquestionable talent could seamlessly implode. An act that seemed infectious as murmurs circled of player revolts, and team disharmony being evident in the respective camps of Cameroon and England. A plot that did not aid England’s Robert Green and his all-American blunder, which seemingly began a series of unwanted cringe worthy moments for the World Cup goalkeepers. Excuses that many players placed on the hot to handle Jabulani ball, with numerous individuals claiming it behaved temperamentally in flight.

Shocks came in the form of Switzerland’s first win over eventual champions Spain, and Group F throwing up two massive surprises as expectant pre-tournament whipping boys New Zealand return home as unbeaten heroes, despite not progressing to the second round stage. A feat further enhanced by finishing ahead of then defending champions Italy, who in a feeble attempt to defend their crown were sent home winless and rock bottom of their group. Ever entertained by Argentina’s favourite son Maradonna and his touchline theatrics, and arguably the greatest miss ever witnessed from Nigeria’s Yakubu, this year’s contest kept us all gripped as the major stories continued to occur and the stakes began to increase.

Event organisers possibly feared for the desired success of the competition, as South Africa created an unwanted bit of history by becoming the first host nation to bow out of the group stage. Although a brave display was shown against in their final game against France, pride was the only feature that was won in the match. As fans tumbled out of Ellis Park saddened that their team’s participation was over, many beamed with satisfaction that their side that had come to represent so much, had came so far in such a short space of time. Undeterred, many-stood firm to show their support of the tournament in their droves, not passing up the opportunity to witness top stars like Messi, Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Van Persie strut their respective stuff.

However what ensued was not a showcase of football’s great and good, but the emergence of the unfamiliar, as new identities were dictating the dynamic of football presented. Germany’s young starlets posting comprehensive wins over England and Argentina left us spell bound. Uruguayan Golden Ball winner Diego Forlan elevated his reputation, re-enforcing what could have been he had got the ground running at Manchester United. New heights were found by Paraguay reaching the nation’s first ever quarterfinals in the tournament’s history, a summit that was also achieved by Africa’s sole remaining representatives in the knockout stages, Ghana.

Led by the finishing of Asamoah Gyan, the Ghanaian marksman completed a turnaround that saw him only last year seeking international retirement after a string of poor performances for his country. As, he maintained his African Cup of Nations form allied with Ghana’s adolescent talent; the team were cruelly denied a place in the semi-finals by Uruguay’s Luis Suarez. A striker who sought to showcase his goalkeeping prowess, palming a goal-bound header off the line to spare his team’s from certain elimination.

Questionable referee decisions added more fuel to the need of technology in games fire, as Mexico and England suffered terminally from poor moments of officiating. As the tournament began to reach its climax and the participants began to pack their bags exiting stage left, two remained to contest the showpiece final.

Dutch delight and Wesley Sneijder shone as Holland recorded six straight wins and negated a tricky path, which included toppling the mighty Brazil en route to the final. Booking a contest with a rejuvenated Spanish outfit that had picked themselves up from the canvas to get their World Cup dream back on track after a first match loss. In a very drab and jaded final with aggressive antics that resembled scenes one might see with the oval ball of rugby or a kung fu film, Spain eventually prevailed after extra-time to cue delirious scenes in Johannesburg and Madrid alike. Full reward to the Spanish conquerors and their expansive brand of football known as ‘tiki-taka’ to its people, their eye catching style of play had captured the imagination of many followers and transformed the country’s football fortunes. After being dubbed perennial underachievers over the years, the last three years has seen Spain record an impressive run of wins leading them to be crowned not only as European Champions, but also now as World Cup victors.

But ultimately the real winners proved to be the people of South Africa and the continent of Africa as a whole. The 2010 World Cup was not simply the staging of an international sporting event hosting a series of matches before it moves to another selected host on the FIFA conveyor belt. The month long extravaganza on Africa’s wintry southern tip facilitated a stage for Africans to showcase themselves to the World, as many visibly spoke ardently their honoured pleasure to be entered to the roll call of past states to have hosted the tournament. With warm welcomes and approachable nature, unseen was the crime carnival that many anticipated South Africa 2010 to be. What was on display was an efficient yet partisan operation that was energetic and brought smiles to fans of all the visiting nations, a vibrancy that can be embodied by the recognisable tone of the vuvuzela.