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Grand Parade erupts, again

2010-06-12 10:11
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Cape Town - As Siphiwe "Screamer" Tshabalala scored South Africa's first goal in the first World Cup on African soil, the Grand Parade erupted like it last did 20 years ago when Nelson Mandela appeared here after his release from jail.

"They said we couldn't do it, look at that. They underestimated us and they were wrong," Graham Pietersen shouted as thousands of flags and vuvuzelas shot into the air and South Africans hugged each other.

For 24 minutes, raucous fans drowned out the commentary from the big screen watched by 18 000 people on the parade.

But it did not matter. Expertise abounded.

"Look at that. It was a sitter, and he missed it," Farid Marley from Retreat groaned as Teko Modise missed a chance.

Around him, goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune's praises were sung for save upon save.

Twenty four minutes later there was a stunned silence when Mexico equalised.

More disbelief followed as coach Carlos Alberto Parreira substituted Bafana's star player Steven Pienaar, the only coloured player in the side, who started his career with Cape Town's Ajax.

As the final whistle blew, the vast crowd turned like a man to head home.

"We have that one moment, it can last all night. It defined everything. Did you see what happened around us, it was extraordinary," said student Makabongwe Tonga.

Lucky Mapale, 22, looked crest-fallen, but said Tshabalala's goal saved the country's dignity.

"At least we didn't lose. At least we got something."


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