Bloemfontein - Hundreds of people gathered at the Mangaung Fan Fest Park in Bloemfontein on Friday in anticipation of the FIFA Soccer World Cup 2010 opening game between Bafana Bafana and Mexico.
While open air festivities in Bloemfontein were mostly rained out on Thursday night, residents in Bafana Bafana attire were out on the streets in full force on Friday morning.
At shopping malls in the city, groups of people blew vuvuzelas and shouted "Ke Nako" (It's time) while waiting for customers.
Waiting at the Fan Fest Park was Betty Vorster, aged 58, and a group of her elderly friends, clad in warm South African flag blankets, yellow track suits and woollen caps.
"We are very pleased to be here," she said.
Joyce Magasane, a very lively 92-year-old, said Bafana Bafana were the favourites for the opening game.
"The final score would be 2-1 for Bafana Bafana," said Rebecca Tau, aged 73.
Vorster suddenly jumped up and started dancing to the music.
Hard to predict
Two medics standing nearby hoped Bafana Bafana would make them proud in the opening game.
"But it's hard to predict," one said.
Moving away, a dancing Vorster shouted: "Thank you. We love you."
Kgoitsimang Mereko, aged 14, and his two friends were dance-walking to the stage area at the Fan Fest Park's gates to get a good spot.
"Bafana Bafana four, Mexico two. Happy, happy," they predicted.
Keneilwe Molehe, aged 42, brought her whole family to the park all dressed in their own South African flag blankets, yellow jackets and yellow woollen caps.
Tumelano, aged 2, Kgalagano, aged 6, were too shy to forecast the outcome, but their mother was sure it would be a Bafana Bafana victory 1-0.
Asleigh Sehong, aged 41, was more direct in his predictions. "We will slaughter them. We will not play with them, we will slaughter them. They owe us."
Sehong's two friends were in no doubt about the outcome of the 2010 opening game. "Bafana Bafana 2-1."
While open air festivities in Bloemfontein were mostly rained out on Thursday night, residents in Bafana Bafana attire were out on the streets in full force on Friday morning.
At shopping malls in the city, groups of people blew vuvuzelas and shouted "Ke Nako" (It's time) while waiting for customers.
Waiting at the Fan Fest Park was Betty Vorster, aged 58, and a group of her elderly friends, clad in warm South African flag blankets, yellow track suits and woollen caps.
"We are very pleased to be here," she said.
Joyce Magasane, a very lively 92-year-old, said Bafana Bafana were the favourites for the opening game.
"The final score would be 2-1 for Bafana Bafana," said Rebecca Tau, aged 73.
Vorster suddenly jumped up and started dancing to the music.
Hard to predict
Two medics standing nearby hoped Bafana Bafana would make them proud in the opening game.
"But it's hard to predict," one said.
Moving away, a dancing Vorster shouted: "Thank you. We love you."
Kgoitsimang Mereko, aged 14, and his two friends were dance-walking to the stage area at the Fan Fest Park's gates to get a good spot.
"Bafana Bafana four, Mexico two. Happy, happy," they predicted.
Keneilwe Molehe, aged 42, brought her whole family to the park all dressed in their own South African flag blankets, yellow jackets and yellow woollen caps.
Tumelano, aged 2, Kgalagano, aged 6, were too shy to forecast the outcome, but their mother was sure it would be a Bafana Bafana victory 1-0.
Asleigh Sehong, aged 41, was more direct in his predictions. "We will slaughter them. We will not play with them, we will slaughter them. They owe us."
Sehong's two friends were in no doubt about the outcome of the 2010 opening game. "Bafana Bafana 2-1."