As the Confederations Cup heats up it is becoming more and more clear that South Africans are wildly enthusiastic, perhaps nowhere moreso than in Soweto, about their country hosting the 2010 World Cup. And why not? In sports mad South Africa football is hands-down the most popular sport, and Soweto represents the epicenter of football in the country. South Africans are aware of the problems that beset the country — poverty, crime, undeveloped infrastructure — but are also fiercely proud to be South African, a sentiment that has sustained since the epochal 1994 elections. Hosting the World Cup will allow the country to put forward its most positive face to the rest of the world, and I suspect that because of too-low expectations, most observers will be pleasantly surprised by what I believe will be a tremendously successful month of events. Visitors to the country will have to prepare for occasional annoyances, and should keep in mind that poor planning on their part will not be the fault of the host country. If early signs are any indication, the Confederations Cup is proving to be a rousing success.
South Africa’s beloved Bafana Bafana have struggled in international football in recent years. But the national team played Asian champions Iraq tough yesterday in a 0-0 draw. Given that Spain should be the prohibitive favorite in their group (which also includes New Zealand) Bafana Bafana needs to put up big numbers against the Kiwis, has to hope that Spain does the same against Iraq, and has to give Spain a game. If they do, Bafana Bafana will advance, which would be a great boost for the country’s sometimes-flagging views of the national team.