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Pretoria - Fan fests and parks all over South Africa buzzed with excitement, almost delirious happiness, song and dance well into Tuesday night, despite Bafana Bafana being dumped out of the World Cup.
Fans refused to be deterred by the national team's exit from the tournament and stayed behind in the fan parks dancing along to the music and celebrating South Africa's victory over France.
Pretoria fans sang Shosholoza
Pretoria fans agreed that Bafana Bafana played well in their crucial match against Les Bleus but were disappointed that the national side did not make it to the next round.
A few minutes before the final whistle blew they sang the sporting anthem Shosholoza and shouted their support.
Some were disappointed, pointing out that this was the easiest game and that the team could have scored at least four goals.
There were concerns over Teko Modise being put on the field in the second half - with most spectators turning into coaches.
Frustrated fan Precious Masukela could not handle the final few minutes of the match and went to sit in the car and listen to the radio.
"I'm too disappointed", she said as she walked off.
Celebrations continued at a Pretoria pub with the sound of vuvuzelas growing louder because of Bafana Bafana's win.
"It was a nice game. It was well-played," said a fan at the bar.
Impressed
Earlier, German fan, Tilo, who was supporting Bafana, said the team was putting on a great performance.
Another tourist, 21-year-old Jessica Delphine, from the United States, was impressed with the national side's performance.
"I haven't seen this quality of soccer from defending champions like Italy," she said
At half-time people rushed to the bar area to get more alcohol, many saying they planned to get drunk on Tuesday night.
There were loud cheers accompanied by the deafening roar of vuvuzelas in Pretoria when South Africa scored their first goal in the first 19 minutes the game.
People waved their flags and some seemed to be in shock.
Police officers ditched their duties and were seen nearing the screen in the barricaded area to catch the replay.
Spiritual
Many dismounted their horses and celebrated with fans.
Some fans were dissatisfied with Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira's team choice, but the mood improved after the first goal.
Ahead of the match Arnold Segafa, 30, who left work at 14:00 to be at a pub in Acacia to watch the game, predicted that Bafana Bafana would win the match against France, but would still not qualify to reach the next stage.
"It needs a spiritual intervention. But we don't expect a miracle." All was not lost, Segafa said, because South Africa could learn a lot from both taking part in and hosting the World Cup.
"We need to practice a lot, especially free kicks", he said.
Rustenberg held its breathThe crowd at the Rustenberg fan park held its breath as the 83rd-ranked Bafana went into its last first-round match against the ninth-ranked and 1998 world champions France in a chilly Bloemfontein on Tuesday afternoon.
It fought a good fight, but not good enough to go through to the second round of the Soccer World Cup. It was, however, more than enough for Bafana's loyal fans.
"Our team is unpredictable. When you expect more, they let you down. When you do not expect anything from them, they will surprise you," Bafana supporter Sam Mokone said while watching the game at a Rustenburg fan park.
"They had fought and made the country proud," said George Melato.
"We played well and dominated the play, it is just we blew our chances in the first game against Mexico," he said.
"I will celebrate this win throughout the night," said Kea Mogale.
"We beat the French team. That is our pride in this World Cup. We may be out but we are still the host nation."
Tumelo Molefe said winning the tournament was nothing, but the pride of the country was to have successfully hosted the event.
"We are the lowest ranking in the tournament. The team has done its best. We cannot expect them to compete against the best in the world," he said.
Vuvuzelas buzzed and African drums rumbled as South Africans of all creeds and colours celebrated with hope in their hearts.
Lele Mafadza from Tshiawelo, was one of many fans who watched the game at Thokoza Park in Soweto.
"I didn't want to watch the game at home, because I would have broken things out of frustration. Now that I'm here, I know when I am frustrated, all these people are frustrated with me and when I celebrate, all these people will celebrate with me."
Bafana supporter Koki Mokgethi believed there was reason for South Africans to hold their heads high.
"That is all we wanted. A win over France," said Mokgethi.
"We played very well today. It's a win, but then again it's also a lose," said Thami Ndlandisa.
Thapelo Sedumed was sceptical about Bafana Bafana's good first half experience.
"I think they bribed France to play badly," he said.
"For me, coming here is more about the atmosphere than the game itself."
The Soccer World Cup turned Sebolelo Jiane into a football fan.
"I wasn't a soccer fan, but ever since July 11 I have familiarised myself with the game," she said.
Port Elizabeth fans
"Whether we qualify for the second round is another story. The brief is to beat France and not ending as the last team in our group."
Bafana supporter Yooseen Baboo nevertheless thought Bafana did badly.
"They should have scored at least three or four goals and France none," Baboo said.
Still, a win was a win, others said.
Baboo's friend Siyabonga Radebe said Bafana's play on Tuesday was the best performance in the World Cup so far.
Durban Fifa Fan Park
Some fans thought Bafana Bafana played well and others thought they should have done better.
"Tshabalala cost us. That goal was supposed to go in... I was very disappointed, but otherwise the boys played well," said Ayanda Mkhize.
Karen Morrisane thought Bafana Bafana had played better than she expected.
"Even though we they did not qualify for the next round, but they gave us a fight. I'm very proud of them," she said.
As the fans gave their views on the game, the beach party continued with DJ Trevor Williams on stage playing the World Cup theme song Waka Waka by Colombian singer Shakira.
Supporters danced and sang on the beach.
Khuthela Mayende said the game was excellent and enjoyed everything about it, but Bajahile Malemba was in tears about Bafana's failure to progress to the next round.
"When the whistle blew, I knew that was it. I felt the tears on my cheeks that we were out," he said.
Hundreds of fans queued at the gate waiting to leave after the final whistle blew.
Cape Town fest packed
Loyal to the end, 18 000 Bafana fans in Cape Town cheered all the way as their team forged a famous victory over France.
"They tried their best, and they made everyone proud," said Stephen Bekkers.
Tutu Mhlakaza, of Samora Machel on the Cape Flats said "I don't know what happened in the second half".
"They're out of the competition now, but we still have to support the World Cup, because it's our continent, it's on our soil.
"Bafana out, it doesn't stop life."
He said he would now support Brazil.
Polokwane sighed
A collective sigh sounded at the Polokwane fan park as the final whistle blew.
"We are very disappointed for Bafana," said Vicente Marcquez of Argentina.
"We would have like to have met Bafana in the next round but now we will meet Mexico."
Sandton can't believe
"I can't believe it," said Ntokoza Maphisa.
"This is what the country has been waiting for."
Australians, Americans, Germans, Chinese, Irish, Jordanians and other tourists sang and danced when South Africa emerged victorious at the match.
Many said they supported the country because they did not like France.
"South Africa is the most beautiful country we have ever been too," said American Sahial Mehra.
"The people are the friendliest in the world and I would love to stay here," said the 29-year-old.
Other tourists shared similar sentiments.
Robinson said South Africa should be one of the seven wonders of the world.
Minutes before the match started, many at the grounds joined hands and danced in a circle.
When the national anthem was sung, even the foreigners joined in and sang.
On Tuesday, South Africa became the first host country in history of the World Cup to fail to proceed beyond round one.
