Share

SA fan at record 38 games

Cape Town – By the end of the World Cup Thulani Ngcobo will have travelled 17 000km, endured a lot of vitamin jabs to boost his sleep-deprived system, and will probably no longer be able to face a FIFA-sanctioned stadium hot dog.

But on Sunday, the World Cup final will be the football fanatic's 38th match, after winning an uber-fan challenge's grand prize that made him the Guinness World Records holder for most games watched at football's biggest event.

"Everyone in the world would like to be me," said the 29-year-old asset controller from Pretoria.

Guinness set the never-attempted record at 20 games - which Ngcobo passed on June 25, with a certificate handed over after post-match footage and witness forms confirmed his presence from the first to final whistle.

The schedule was planned for months with a car waiting outside stadiums as he galloped between host cities, with one day clocking up 3 000km for four games in 48 hours.

A cancelled flight once saw him arrive two minutes after kick-off, one of seven matches that didn't count toward his record, which will stand officially at 31.

"I haven't missed a game," said Ngcobo, who snatched sleep while travelling but says he immediately revived once in stadiums.

"This is a dream come true to me and it's once in a lifetime. If something comes like this, you need to pull yourself up and you must make sure you do whatever that you can do to succeed."

Die hard supporter

Ngcobo's sponsored seat at Sunday's final is worth more than his original World Cup budget of R2 000, which he had set aside for 10 of the cheapest seats and R1 000 for ferrying between stadiums on minibus taxis.

Instead he got to football's biggest showcase in grand style after winning the "Last Fan Standing" competition run by South African mobile giant and World Cup sponsor MTN, which picked up the tab for his transport, accommodation and top seats.

A die hard supporter of Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs, Ngcobo attends up to five matches a week during soccer season. His mobile phone ringtone is a football commentary. And he met his girlfriend at a match.

Of the 32 competing teams, only Switzerland and Greece went unseen by Ngcobo, after they crashed out early.

He lists the Japan-Paraguay last 16 clash as the most boring, Ghana's exit as the most disappointing, and the Mexican fans as the most passionate.

South African striker Siphiwe Tshabalala's goal - the first in the tournament - was his most exciting, but Portugal's 7-0 goal bonanza over North Korea also stood out for being "like watching the highlights live".

Even though ousted stars like England's Wayne Rooney, Brazil's Kaka and Argentina's Lionel Messi failed to shine at the goals, Ngcobo said seeing World Player of the Year Messi was a highlight.

"Previously I'd see him on TV. If you're watching him there you'd think that he's PlayStation or maybe he's played by a machine or something. Seeing him in the first game against Nigeria at Ellis Park was wow to me."

More challenges

Not having seen his three-year-old son for a month, he returns to work on Tuesday after taking 23 days of leave from his job at the government's land reform department.

He advises would-be challengers to his record to enter competitions and to be true football fans.

"I'm not rich, I'm just normal but I managed to be in the Guinness World Records. It's all about taking chances," said Ngcobo, who blogs his trip at www.lastfanstanding.co.za

"I'm looking forward for a passionate fan to challenge me, but he must know that this is not easy. It's very tough," he said ahead of the semi-final in Cape Town.

"If you are passionate about soccer, you can challenge me."

Now, he's looking for a sponsor for Brazil's World Cup in 2014. Or the African Nations Cup in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea in 2012.

"After this I'll really, really miss the World Cup."

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1167 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
30% - 1361 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2070 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE