Bafana Bafana fan

Read more on:   

• mwelo nonkonyana

• johannesburg

• south africa

Related Links

• Easy on euphoria, Bafana
• Passionate support for Bafana
• Prayer day for Bafana Bafana

Johannesburg – Songs of praise filled the air as the official Bafana Bafana fan club was launched in Newclare, Johannesburg on Friday.

"History has shown that in sports miracles do happen," said Nikolaus Eberl, initiator of the club.

The club was launched at a quaint little pub called The Place Pub and Grill which has been declared the home and meeting place of the fan club.

"When a winning attitude and a never say die belief penetrates the team, anything is possible. Especially in football, history is littered with examples of underdog teams that went all the way."

Eberl said that to activate the law of attraction, fan clubs such as these were imperative to winning the tournament.

Vibrant voice behind Bafana

"This initiative enjoins football fans and supporters into a united and vibrant force behind Bafana Bafana for the 2010 FIFA World Cup."

The guest of honour at the event was SAFA vice president, Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana.

Nonkonyana was greeted by a church choir singing welcome songs and then the national anthem.

"Come June 11 it's going to be the vuvuzela versus the Mexican wave... our boys are going to make us proud," Nonkonyana said referring to the opening match between South Africa and Mexico.

"At yesterday's (Thursday) soccer match between South Africa and Colombia, Soccer City was a sea of colours, people were there whether they were black, brown or white, but the beauty of it was that they were all wearing the colours (of the team), and that was Baba Madiba's dream," he said, adding that the nation stood united in support of their team.

Dark continent

"We have dispelled the myth that Africa is a dark continent."

Nonkonyana said that fan clubs such as these were imperative for the "charging" of human spirits.

All matches during the World Cup would be screened at the venue. It is equipped with a projector and big screen.

It can accommodate about 100 people, said owner Gladys Gailey, who is also known by her patrons as "The First Lady".

The walls are covered in newspaper articles on past soccer matches and profiles on players.

Flags and shirts of different soccer teams from around the world are scattered around. White tables and chairs seat up to 50 people. Memorabilia hangs from the ceiling.

Devoted to soccer

"This pub is devoted to soccer," she said.

The pub was opened after Gailey travelled to France with her husband to watch Bafana Bafana in their first World Cup soccer tournament.

"My husband and I went pub crawling while in France, and that's when we decided that we have to open a place such as this, in our home country."

"I think that our pub is very unique... it's a little patriotic gem situated in the place I grew up in," Gailey said, adding that she is known for making the best curries in Newclare.

"They not only come for soccer, but for curries too."

Open seven days a week

It is open seven days a week from 10:00 until late.

Those who attended the launch wore Bafana Bafana T-shirts. Some draped themselves in the South African flag and blew vuvuzelas.

Eberl has published a book called The Alchemy of Miracles. The book examines the greatest upsets in the past 60 years of football history. The book asserts that in sports miracles happen by design and not by accident.

The fan club is endorsed by SAFA, Gauteng Gateway, Tourism Enterprise Partnership, SA Sports Coalition of Churches and Government Communication and Information Systems.

To become an official Bafana supporter, sms Bafana to 35865 charged at R3. Proceeds go to football development, including developing a women's soccer league.