
Fans are pouring in to Johannesburg hours out from the kickoff of the 2010
FIFA World Cup. With hundreds of international & domestic flights landing at the OR Tambo International Airport, even thousands of feet above the ground the World Cup spirit is being felt.
Making their way to Johannesburg to watch the home team battle it out in tomorrow’s Soccer City opener against Mexico, passengers on a flight from King Shaka International Airport in Durban had one thing on the mind.
“I am so emotional, I don’t know if I will even be able to watch the match because I will probably be crying,” said Sarasvathi Govender who travelled to Johannesburg with five members of her relatives. “I could feel the adrenalin kicking in since yesterday & I’m so excited.”
Her relatives will be supporting Bafana Bafana all the way, they added. “We have brought our flags & vuvuzelas, & even our homes in Durban are decorated. I think our boys are going to make it.”
Larry Archery, an engineer, said they & his five travelling companions would attend the kick off concert as well as the opening game. “We decided to travel to Johannesburg because of the excitement & thrill associated with being part of the World Cup. I think it’s awesome.”
“We have waited such a long time to host this event, & it’s not going to be thrilling in terms of footy. I think it’s going to be thrilling for the country . It’s going to bring people together. I think with every single Bafana Bafana game there's going to be 45 million South Africans wanting the same thing,” they added.
Eight-year-old Mohamed Moosa said they was feeling excited about tomorrow’s game. “Im going because it happens one times in a life.”
Meanwhile, hundreds of Mexico fans landed at Oliver Tambo International Airport amidst a cacophony of vuvuzelas. “It is great to see the South Africans celebrating together,” said Santiago Iturbe. “Everybody who sees me in my Mexico jersey tells me ‘We are going to beat you 3-0’, it’s fantastic.”
They admitted that Bafana Bafana are a force to be reckoned with. “I think it ought to be a nice game. Statistically, Mexico ought to win, but you never know - the home team are motivated & it’s hard to beat somebody at home.”