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Johannesburg - South Africa's World Cup party was launched on Friday amid emotional scenes at Soccer City stadium after President Jacob Zuma announced "the time for Africa has come."

Fifteen years after lifting the Rugby World Cup, the Rainbow Nation was once again at the centre of the sporting world as a crowd of nearly 85 000 willed on Bafana Bafana in the opening Group A clash against Mexico that ended one-all.

The host nation sent excitement levels among the yellow-and-green-clad crowd soaring to fever pitch as they took the lead 10 minutes into the second half through a stunning goal from Siphiwe Tshabalala.

But South Africa were pegged back when Rafael Marquez equalised with just over 10 minutes to go.

South Africa thought they had won it in the closing stages but Katlego Mphela saw a shot come off the post.

The teams earlier emerged to an unceasing wall of noise from thousands of vuvuzelas, which intensified as the match wore on with the passionate fans undaunted by a strong first half from Mexico.

Better chances

President Zuma, opening the first World Cup on African soil, paid tribute to grief-stricken Nelson Mandela, missing from the historic occasion following the death of his great granddaughter in a car crash.

With a wait of more than six years since South Africa was awarded the World Cup finally over, Zuma said: "The time for Africa has come. It has arrived."

South Africa were up against it from the start as Mexico, appearing in their 14th World Cup made a bright start, dominating possession and creating the better chances.

The second half was another story as Bafana Bafana drew energy from the crowd, who refused to countenance defeat.

Earlier, fans wept as five planes swept over the stadium at the start of a lavish opening ceremony before 1 500 performers took to the pitch for a dance routine which saw them create a map of the continent.