Mexico and South Africa played to 1-1 tie in the opening day of the 2010 World Cup. What would’ve been a ho-hum performance is anything but for the kickoff game against the hosting team, affectionately called Bafana Bafana. South Africa drew first blood at the 55-minute mark, when Siphewe Tshabalala scored. Mexico drew even off a long pass that Rafael Marquez targeted past South African goalie’s Itumeleng Kuhne’s right knee at the 79-minute mark.
Competition in Mexico’s bracket is sure to be intense. Perennial championship contenders France and Uruguay round out Group A. Odds on Mexico winning it all aren’t great this time around, but here is my prediction: two of the final four teams will be Spanish-speaking.