I wont have to. After Wednesday its all over, then it'll be me and the WC.:banana:

Excellent stadium, but the tv production has to improve, cause they have some bad edition and the change of cameras was terrible i felt lost in some aparts of the game.

Thanks God the Kenian refferee wasn´t chose for the world cup, cause hi made bad decitions on the penalty kicks who changes the story of the game.

Anyway, i hope the Bafana-Bafana past to the second ruond at least, but the have so much to improve. Congrats...A big hug from Colombia!!!

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4638395946_9f1edd6501.jpg http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4065/buddyicons/50593702@N08.jpg?1274769669#50593702@N08 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaynerobinson/) Uploaded on May 25, 2010 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaynerobinson/archives/date-posted/2010/05/25/)
by realpictures (http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaynerobinson/)

I have never been to the Bernebau, Nou Camp, Ol Trafford, The Emirates, Wembley or any of the rest. But I have been to Soccer City! To me, even if I do go to any of the above, this one will still be the best. It means more to me than all the so-called better stadia in the world.
Afterall, it is THE Soccer City!!!

:drool: I'm so jealous, cant even concentrate on my book right now.:bash:

We are in the same boat right now.....hopefully it doesnt sink and we can both enjoy the world cup.

Excellent stadium, but the tv production has to improve, cause they have some bad edition and the change of cameras was terrible i felt lost in some aparts of the game.
!
I presume this has been answered somewhere, what is the verdict now? SABCrap doing the scw ? No supersport ? :ohno:

HBS does all the camerawork.

South Africa 2 Colombia 1

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/01LY7kU0017g7/900x.jpg
http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/06zDdUh9pC194/900x.jpg
http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0d6p0To94zbC9/900x.jpg

I was there too.
The atmosphere is unbeatable. Bring Allianz, OldTraford, or Nou Camp. The 90 000 vuvuzelas are unbeatable. ask anyone in th eworld who has experianced it live.

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr270/rulani/27052010289.jpghttp://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr270/rulani/27052010273.jpghttp://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr270/rulani/27052010288.jpghttp://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr270/rulani/27052010292.jpghttp://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr270/rulani/27052010293.jpg

Nice Ruls, nice. You should have told me that you going buddy.

Sorry Puls, i really meant to call you. but then i thought of the allocations in the Stadium. Next time i really will buddy.

awesome! the internal orange color makes it even more beautiful and unique.
how was the traffic to the game?

double post.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaynerobinson/sets/72157624153019014/

Sunrise over the stadium

the traffic wasn't too bad, but i strongly recommend some research so you know which options you have. some of the off ramps from the highway were packed. the coordination from the traffic department after the game was very good.

traffic was fackin ridiculous! rule of law went out the window with taxis etc. there were too few traffic officials in proportion to the amount of people. hope the city has learnt from this for wc. get there 5+ hours before imo. awesome stadium. awesome atmosphere. very intimidating if i was other team/supporters

how steep is the gradient on the top tier? Im sitting there for the Brazil Ivory cost game :(

^^ my friends at up there for the sa-colombia game and said the view is amazing.

Probably 30 degrees.

Cool, Im not complaining as the view would be superb, but its the damn cold Im worrying about :lol:

^^

Damn straight. It's been hitting around 6-7`C lately, better get geared up to handle it. I still need bright yellow gloves :lol:

last year at the confed cup final it was 4 degrees :/

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0bKKg8t5orb73/610x.jpghttp://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/09B24mx1Px07B/610x.jpghttp://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0dc38ebeZGbHt/610x.jpg

you cant say it doesnt blend it. i hardly noticed it.

Really would have preferred if they had stadium specific colour branding like 06.

Vuvu's at PnP for R13!

Blatter regards Soccercity as the 5 star stadium. He ranks it with Wembley among others. he said this at an official hand over to FIFA yesterday. and oh it looks so so fine with all the FIFA branding. more so on the moet by the the pitch side. Saw that on TV

that and he compared it to wembley.

that and he compared it to wembley.

But unlike Wembley it only took 2 years to rebuild not 6, and cost only R3.3 billion not R12 billion ... and my bet is that it has a decent pitch installed.

wembley stadium fits inside soccer city.

All images andrescampos

http://www.andrescampos.com/img/s10/v16/p259285169-5.jpghttp://www.andrescampos.com/img/s9/v15/p134170760-5.jpghttp://www.andrescampos.com/img/s10/v17/p161207884-5.jpghttp://www.andrescampos.com/img/s10/v17/p662675248-5.jpghttp://www.andrescampos.com/img/s10/v18/p252145861-5.jpghttp://www.andrescampos.com/img/s6/v6/p642208447-5.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4057/4665808931_b8b04ff082.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4666433414_670538c8d5.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4665806743_4a72c67533.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4665806189_b9e933d62e.jpghttp://farm2.static.flickr.com/1307/4666432660_91f5dc50c5.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4666338520_55b680c694_b.jpg

grass is looking very good, hope the same can be said for ellis park.

we better get a really really good opening ceremony in this stadium! i don't care what people say but i want a Beijing-Olympics-quality-ceremony! :banana:

http://www3.picturepush.com/photo/a/3560746/640/3560746.jpg

http://www4.picturepush.com/photo/a/3560747/640/3560747.jpg

http://www1.picturepush.com/photo/a/3560749/640/3560749.jpg

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http://www2.picturepush.com/photo/a/3560755/640/3560755.jpg

Great pix pule .......

we better get a really really good opening ceremony in this stadium! i don't care what people say but i want a Beijing-Olympics-quality-ceremony! :banana:

Don't think we have the population for that :lol:

Try Athens-2004-Olympics-ceremony-quality... x100!

Great pix pule .......

Thanks my friend.

world cup and olympic opening ceremonies are too different to be compared.

Beautiful stadium, the most fabulous in history of WC!

world cup and olympic opening ceremonies are too different to be compared.

Same company though.

What do you mean?

The Opening Ceremony will be a bit better than the Confed Cup mess, but still a mess.
Germany's though will not be hard to beat.

You could have Nelson Mandela in the middle of field at the start of the ceremony saying "ke nako!" and it would be memorable.

^^ think we've established the exploitation of madiba is not on the table

How is that exploiting him? He could just sit in his chair in a VIP area or on the field with Zelda, and one a mic say "Welcome to South Africa", and then off he goes, and 3,000 kids start dancing, beating drums etc.

i don't know what the big deal is with the opening ceremony.

how longs the opening ceremony and what time does it start ?
all i care abt is from the point the ref blows his whistle.

how longs the opening ceremony and what time does it start ?
all i care abt is from the point the ref blows his whistle.

Are there any leaked pictures of the opening ceremony's concert/celebration? I can expect an African themed ceremony. An original that has never been seen anywhere on this planet. A breath taker, something that will finally remind all that "hey dude, this is Africa"

South Africa, we (Africans) are counting on you. Please don't let us down. It will be sad if we have African artist doing rap music or some stuff western. :ohno:

But South Africa has never disappointed, I know this. So I really don't expect any disappointment, but hey you never know.

Sizzling blastoff for World Cup
Aerial picture reveals how we will wow the world on Friday
Jun 6, 2010 12:00 AM | By SASHNI PATHER, BONGANI MDAKANE and ROWAN PHILP
Nationwide euphoria following Bafana Bafana's stunning victory over Denmark in a pre-Cup friendly match has set the stage for our biggest party ever when the World Cup gets under way on Friday.

THE TIME IS NOW: An aerial view of a mock-up of Soccer City near Soweto shows some of the 1500 cast members rehearsing for the opening ceremony of the 2010 World Cup on Friday evening. On the night, cast members will align themselves with stadium aisles that point to the other World Cup stadiums in the country Picture: JAMES OATWAY/Flight courtesy of Starlite Aviation Group
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The Sunday Times can today reveal that the day after the massive Fifa concert at Orlando Stadium on June 10, the hour-long opening ceremony at Soccer City in Soweto will feature a 1500-strong cast, and include:

US superstar R Kelly and the Soweto Spiritual Singers, who will perform the World Cup anthem: Sign of a Victory;
South African artists HHP and TKZee, who will perform Shibobo - despite Benni McCarthy not being "in the area" as the song's original lyrics go - and promise: "a massive party for the world";
African stars Khaled, from Algeria, and Osibisa, from Ghana, and Nigeria's Femi Kuti, singing his famous Bang Bang Bang track; and
Sama-nominated R&B singer Timothy Moloi, standing in for opera star Siphiwo Ntshebe, who died suddenly last month. Moloi will be singing Nelson Mandela's newly adopted anthem, Hope.
On Friday, the Sunday Times got an exclusive aerial view of the opening ceremony rehearsals when our photographer flew over Nasrec showgrounds near Soweto.

With five days to go, the world's greatest footballers - and many of its greatest musicians - are streaming into the country, as millions of South Africans gear up for the first of a month of block parties and family celebrations on June 11.

As initially sluggish ticket sales surged close to a Fifa record yesterday, local organising committee chief Danny Jordaan told the Sunday Times: "South Africa is really in a celebratory party mode. And the opening ceremony is sure to be the party of all parties to kick-start this historic tournament."

The event will precede the opening match, between Bafana Bafana and Mexico, which about 50 heads of state are expected to attend.

Jordaan said: "It will showcase to a worldwide audience of millions the talent, creativity, technology and welcoming spirit and hospitality of the African continent."

Meanwhile, coaches from the 18 teams that have already arrived praised their hosts, with legendary Argentina coach Diego Maradona saying: "I'm excited to be here, I love South Africa and I'm looking forward to the World Cup."

Co-produced by Lebo M, the opening ceremony will see TKZee stepping up on stage in the first global showcase of kwaito. TKZee member Zwai Bala said: "There cannot be a better honour honestly, to be considered to be part of this global event!"

A tribute will also be paid to Ntshebe, 34, who died of meningitis in his home town of Port Elizabeth on May 26. His replacement, Moloi, said he was "stunned; completely surprised" to be asked this week to sing Hope in Ntshebe's stead. The song includes a passage read by Mandela.

"It's the ultimate honour to perform Hope for Madiba - but it's also bittersweet in view of the tragic loss of this wonderful artist," said Moloi. "As a celebration, my feeling is: South Africa has won already, before the first kickoff."

The ceremony will see a cast of Afro-Brazilian-style capoeira dancers and drummers, ranging in age from 10 to 59. Organisers said the ceremony would encapsulate the cultures and peoples of the African "six-pack" of nations competing in the Cup - South Africa, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Algeria, Ghana and Cameroon.

The Creative Workers Union are threatening to boycott Thursday night's Kick-Off concert at the Orlando Stadium because of the alleged "exclusion" of local artists - despite Fifa increasing the number of local acts for the concert from three to seven.

In apparent reference to this, the minister of arts and culture, Lulu Xingwana, noted that the opening ceremony featured only one artist from outside the continent.

She said: "I believe the opening ceremony is going to be a super celebration of the very best of African arts ... with African-American Grammy winner R Kelly the only artist from outside the continent."

On Friday, months of often bitterly negative headlines in the UK press swung dramatically to the positive, with the Daily Mail praising England's base in Rustenburg, North West, as "putting Wembley to shame", while Sportsmail noted in amazement that: "The medical centre, pool and gym, little more than a pile of rubble when Sportsmail visited the newly built complex in February, are complete."

Meanwhile, in a major piece inThe Telegraph, Afrikaner author and Afro-sceptic Rian Malan publicly retracted his earlier predictions that the event would be a humiliating failure for Africa.

Instead - after witnessing the successful launch of the Gautrain, the new bus system, the refurbished highways, and the "huge success" of the Super 14 final in Soweto - Malan admitted that South Africans were "ready", having "pulled their socks up" to "make fools" of sceptics like himself.

Malan wrote: "Some slip-ups are inevitable, but generally, we seem to be heading towards a 'fat jol'".

Get the latest updates on Go 2010 right here

hey Juanl, you didn't include any links!

http://www.timeslive.co.za/sundaytimes/article489453.ece/Sizzling-blastoff-for-World-Cup

http://www.timeslive.co.za/multimedia/dynamic/00682/655152_605158_682787b.jpg

that does look pretty cool, cant wait to see it... wait Im gona be at work :doh:

http://www.theage.com.au/photogallery/sport/are-these-the-worlds-best-stadiums/20100602-ww1k.html?selectedImage=0

theres a live runthrough of whats gonna happen on friday on ss3 right now. so weird. done with u17 sides

they got quite a cool camera setup. ones that fly from one end of the stadium to the other and all... electronic advertising is also pretty slick. adidas will be on the boards at kickoff. sony are gonna use the boards to promote their 3d. doesn't appear like there'll be the 'coke in team colours' thing we saw at 2006. just red. do hope the graphics used in the hbs test run weren't the real ones. orange again :( but looked like the supersport font so there is hope...

the pitch on the other hand has taken a turn for the worse after the bafana game. and they seriously need to repaint those lines, obviously they will though, those u/17s were very good! i dont think they shouldve shown it on tv though, now i know what the commentator will say etc

yeah... the pitch is just the time of day think. i wouldnt use overhead shots for the game. just me. up close in hd the pitch looks awesome though. noticed they were playing in tekkies :) also dunno why ss showed it... personally think the night game shoulda been the soccer city and the cape town one at dusk woulda been better.

i agree but they wanted SC opening

http://worldcupstadiums.in3sixty.com/stadiums/soweto/

the pitch on the other hand has taken a turn for the worse after the bafana game. and they seriously need to repaint those lines, obviously they will though, those u/17s were very good! i dont think they shouldve shown it on tv though, now i know what the commentator will say etc

yeah... the pitch is just the time of day think. i wouldnt use overhead shots for the game. just me. up close in hd the pitch looks awesome though. noticed they were playing in tekkies :) also dunno why ss showed it... personally think the night game shoulda been the soccer city and the cape town one at dusk woulda been better.

What exactly was that game? I thought that my tv was going crazy when I saw and empty SOccer City, u/17 SSU and commentators talking about the actual SA team! :lol:

it was a test run for HBS.

it was a test run for HBS.

Thanks, it just freaked me out. I had just set up my new 42" plasma screen, and then that happened, I was like WTF!

nice to welcome another high definitioner! colour like no other!

Up here in the middle east they are going nuts over the world cup, not sure if its been posted but Al Jazeera have a studio over looking soccer city as a back drop and have been broadcasting daily for the last 2 weeks live from there. English and Arabic options on all games and HD + 3D.

They have 11 channels mostly dedicated to football and cover eauropean champs league but not EPL yet. Remarkably they have Gary Linekar as a anchor and pull the top flight critics week in week out, ie El TEL VENEBALES, SOUNESS, FRANCIS, GUILIT, etc.

However , DSTV has just gone into scramble mode up here since thursday last week, although its a legitimate service here.. hmm.

:cheers:PD.

Geo eye http://www.geoeye.com/CorpSite/gallery/default.aspx?gid=12

May 7
http://geoeyemediaportal.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/images/gallery/ge1/images/soccer_city_05_07_10.jpg

Is Friday a half day's work in South Africa? Heard through the grapevine it might be.

Is Friday a half day's work in South Africa? Heard through the grapevine it might be.

If you have a nice enough boss...:lol:

if your boss isn't the death of joburg blogger:lol:

Thank you.... I will take that as a no then.

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/02Sf8krg55fA7/x610.jpghttp://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/022PbtE3GagIl/900x.jpghttp://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/06Gc5Ar8n17Bx/900x.jpghttp://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0fr1aCV7951Bb/900x.jpghttp://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0fr1aCV7951Bb/900x.jpghttp://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/06wie050Gm7cM/900x.jpghttp://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/05bT5cuewYbVD/900x.jpghttp://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/02vEdI28Mr0f2/900x.jpghttp://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/05DA6GI0TxgBk/900x.jpghttp://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0fuf5kn5Vo1uX/900x.jpghttp://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/07x7cbvfW3fKI/900x.jpghttp://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/064w8N70bS7yL/900x.jpghttp://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0eODfCUf3i6F9/900x.jpghttp://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0aKP0xFeDHdFv/900x.jpg

Nasrec Station

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/00k29lC6HBe5V/x610.jpghttp://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0dcC8G9grF4c5/900x.jpg

Gorgeous!

those benches for the teams look like they could be a damn nuicanse for supporters sitting behind them.

Wow so that train station will look like the South African Flag. Pretty damn cool.

it's tomorrow folks. Did you guys know that?! Tomorrow!

Not quite tommorow here its 11:27pm :/...waiting 30 more mins b4 i start watching skysports news streaming live online.

Not quite tommorow here its 11:27pm :/...waiting 30 more mins b4 i start watching skysports news streaming live online.

we are on the same time-zone Rodman. But in South Africa, it's officially TOMORROW!

You don't mind sharing that link Rod

ok when its mid nite i will post it....skysports studio will be beaming live from cape town

http://www.firstrow.net/

Ke Nako! just One more day left I feel goosebump and shiver with excitment. Proudly SA flag everywhere never been like this in since 16 years ago. So i'm planning to sneak in Soccer city that i'm digging on pitch to buried Nando's Chicken with Mexican chilled that will attach Mexico team sniffing and forget the ball lol. Plus more bonus i'm rubbing Lion's Blood over Khune(goalkeeper) that he can catch ball with breeze, modify Piennaar eye to Cheetah eye to boost speed, Grow Booth like Giraffe need to prevent ball from goaling, modify Ostrich leg on Parker to score goal and I'll import 100 Elephant from Kruger National Park to blew louder than Vuvuzela. Viva Bafana!

SB the wizard till that vuvuzela comment....

lol Dennis, your avatar look scary! try change relate to world cup like you supporting USA :)

whyd they have to paint that station!?!?!?!

What is the best and safe way to go from Sandton to Soccer City Stadium? Shuttle to Westgate and from there Rea Vaya? Or shuttle to Westgate and from there Metrorail? Where start the shuttle in Sandton? How many time to reach the stadium? Thank you

Are you READY??? Taken today at 3pm!!!!!!

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq290/africanbiohazard/SoccerCity-Thestar-3.jpg

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq290/africanbiohazard/SoccerCity-Thestar-2.jpg

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq290/africanbiohazard/SoccerCity-Thestar-4.jpg

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq290/africanbiohazard/SoccerCity-Thestar-1.jpg


...10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 ...GOOOOOOOAAAALLL

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq290/africanbiohazard/SoccerCity-Thestar-7.jpg

GOOOOAAAAALLLLL!!!! GO BAFANA!!!!!

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq290/africanbiohazard/SoccerCity-Thestar-8.jpg

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wow great pix AB....str8 to my wallpaper

damn AB!!! spectacular pictures. shud be like a sticky on this forum!!

WOW amazing pics guys.... IT'S TIME!

see they covered coke's bit of genius on the cooling tower

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/01O5bsY6vx5DR/900x.jpg

So we have a render as the banner. Disappointing

The goddam wait is over.


:cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers2::cheers2::cheers2::cheers2::cheers2::cheers2::cheers2::cheers2::cheers2::cheers2::cheers2::cheers2:

.....once again, the doom gloomers have lost.......16 South Africans 0 doomers......the world cup is upon us and my kids will have this memory for the rest of their lives......i can't take their smiling cute faces.....

Stunning pics AB...

What is the best and safe way to go from Sandton to Soccer City Stadium? Shuttle to Westgate and from there Rea Vaya? Or shuttle to Westgate and from there Metrorail? Where start the shuttle in Sandton? How many time to reach the stadium? Thank you

Hi Cesare

I would choose Rea Vaya over Metrorail. There are a number of stops for the Westgate shuttle in and around Sandton. There are stops at Innesfree Park, Sandton City Shopping Mall, Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton Convention Centre. For a complete list check out http://www.joburg.org.za/content/view/5308/168/1/3/.

I would plan 1 - 1.5 hours to get to the stadium. Plan to get there early.

Enjoy! :)

AB you fooking legend! those pics are amazing!!!
about the render its a pitty, I tried to look for a nice night shot to submit but I had no time this whole week. Things been crazy... but hey atleast we being represented!

AWESOME PICS

im sure the stadium and its surrounds would make a great aerial shot in summer but in winter when everything in johannesburg turns to brown it still looks like a construction site!!

twitpics coming in already!!! wooohooo

http://i49.tinypic.com/14ah9c6.jpg

At the start of the ceremony the stadium wasn't that full but as it went on it got full.

....move it to australia my ass...now lets see who is smiling now....PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN.....I AM LITERALLY IN TEARS.....

so so happy but furious at the same time that a lot of stupid supporters left too late and didnt get in before the ceremony. Pathetic! I dont care about excuses of traffic, you should know this was going to be the situation and should have made the effort to leave well in advance.

The opening ceremony was.......

...today.

South Africa did a great development job for the World Champions. Great stadiums! :D Can't wait till Monday when it's time for Holland :D

disappointing that Joburgers chose to drive to the match!!!! and miss the opening ceremony, even if it was really really bad.

Lots of people just used public transport to Cape Town. Trains, buses, it all just made sense having CT station and the stadium within a reasonable walking distance.

^^ i think many of the supporters can't have been bothered bout the opening ceremony. it really is a nonevent when it comes to the world cup. don't know what you were expecting but what you can do in a daytime ceremony is fairly limited. overall, well received by the media which is all that counts. doubt anyone will remember it in a month's time which is perfectly fine for a world cup.

Fifa needs to get rid of the opening ceremony, live that to the olympics....get going right away to the game...

Yesterday's game was fantastic, couldn't have asked for a better opener! The stadium erupted when Bafana scored, and celebrated for the next 5 minutes, ignoring play!
I thought we played really well, and could have won, but I'm happy with a draw. It's hard not to be greedy!
The ceremony didn't really do much for me, but I guess it's not really a contributing factor to a great World Cup.
Here are a few snap shots from yesterday.

Wits park and ride
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x22/monkfish07/2010%20World%20Cup/CIMG2773800x600.jpg

They used Metrobus buses
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x22/monkfish07/2010%20World%20Cup/CIMG2774800x600.jpg

Nasrec Station
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x22/monkfish07/2010%20World%20Cup/CIMG2777800x600.jpg

The approach
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x22/monkfish07/2010%20World%20Cup/CIMG2781800x600.jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x22/monkfish07/2010%20World%20Cup/CIMG2783800x600.jpg

P.S. You can see they have started grassing over the mine dump in the background
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x22/monkfish07/2010%20World%20Cup/CIMG2784800x600.jpg

Entering the stadium
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x22/monkfish07/2010%20World%20Cup/CIMG2786800x600.jpg

The atmosphere was festive, from the moment we entered.
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x22/monkfish07/2010%20World%20Cup/CIMG2791800x600.jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x22/monkfish07/2010%20World%20Cup/CIMG2795800x600.jpg

About to start...
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x22/monkfish07/2010%20World%20Cup/CIMG2801800x600.jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x22/monkfish07/2010%20World%20Cup/CIMG28021600x1200.jpg

The opening ceremony:
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x22/monkfish07/2010%20World%20Cup/CIMG2807800x600.jpg

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aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh.......shot for the pics man. very coool.

time FIFA rebrand Soccer City as SOWETO as ELLIS Park is branded Johannesburg on the advertising board on the half way line.:bash:

Nice photo tour ...Percy! Keep 'em comin'.

time FIFA rebrand Soccer City as SOWETO as ELLIS Park is branded Johannesburg on the advertising board on the half way line.:bash:

???

This stadium pitch stinks compare to ellis or cape.

soweto is part of johannesburg. from wikipedia: "Soweto[2] is an urban area of the city of Johannesburg in Gauteng, South Africa, bordering the city's mining belt in the south. Its name, an English syllabic abbreviation for South Western Townships[3], refers to its origins as a Black township under South Africa's Apartheid government. The population has historically been overwhelmingly Black and some of the watershed events in the struggle against Apartheid occurred in the township." fifa arent about to call emirates ground arsenal come the world cup in 2018. its only the news networks that are distinguishing the suburb

Wow you people are fussy. Thought the opening ceremony was great. Not sure what else you wanted? Jets turning into transformers and playing a quick 3 a side?

As has been mentioned before you can't do much for a daytime opening ceremony but I think it was very well done.

disappointing that Joburgers chose to drive to the match!!!! and miss the opening ceremony, even if it was really really bad.

Lots of people just used public transport to Cape Town. Trains, buses, it all just made sense having CT station and the stadium within a reasonable walking distance.

From what I've heard, Rea Vaya worked like a dream, to and from the game. Too bad Joburgers are so suspicious of public transport (except Gautrain ;) ) that they chose the 'safer' park and ride. Let's hope attitudes change, quick

Wow you people are fussy. Thought the opening ceremony was great. Not sure what else you wanted? Jets turning into transformers and playing a quick 3 a side?

As has been mentioned before you can't do much for a daytime opening ceremony but I think it was very well done.

To be fair to the ceremony, I haven't had the chance to watch it on TV yet so I must have missed quite a bit. I've heard a lot of people say how amazing it was, so I have yet to judge it properly. The Gripens were pretty stunning though, absolutely deafening as they flew over! I think perhaps I expected more fanfare, pyrotechnics and confetti - but then again it would have been tacky and not as elegant. You could see the angle Lebo M took was a very musical, understated theatrical production. I'm still proud of it. :)

So so wonderful Percy.

To be fair to the ceremony, I haven't had the chance to watch it on TV yet so I must have missed quite a bit. I've heard a lot of people say how amazing it was, so I have yet to judge it properly. The Gripens were pretty stunning though, absolutely deafening as they flew over! I think perhaps I expected more fanfare, pyrotechnics and confetti - but then again it would have been tacky and not as elegant. You could see the angle Lebo M took was a very musical, understated theatrical production. I'm still proud of it. :)


In Belgium the opening ceremony was appreciated by the press.

great pics percy!

June 10th & 11th was AMAZING!! Well done JHB, Stadium & pitch looked perfect. I was a bit hesitant on the choice of tunnel design, but it actually looked nice. Haha and for those who attended the game, well done for living up to the saying “better late then never” ;)

Bafana was too nervous for the first half, but they did well. Mexico scored that goal by luck, completely unexpected at the time.

lmao Inertia your "signature"! In our defence, we work to live, not live to work!
MTN says it best,
Best billboard ever:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4618154185_65ef347bdc.jpg

the most impressive staduim of the tournament.

Pule, are you going to Germany vs. Ghana? Anybody going. Would be cool not to go alone!

Best billboard ever:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4618154185_65ef347bdc.jpg

With all that rain I'd probably agree!

Heard about Transport Strike after Soccer city games that Driver didnt get warning that they must work more hours tonight...

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/09PkaYigOG7pv/900x.jpghttp://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/01TL2A72PK0QU/900x.jpg

American visitors enjoying the vuvuzela and the support for Bafana.

American Touring South Africa Finds Excitement and High Prices
http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/american-life/American-Touring-South-Africa-Finds-Excitement-and-High-Prices-96261409.html

Just before leaving the United States for South Africa, Coleman went on the Internet to see if by chance he could find any tickets for sale for the opening match between South Africa and Mexico.

He did, but they were the top-priced, Category 1 tickets, in the 10th row right behind the South African team bench. Coleman said they were $600 dollars each, but to buy them you also had to pay for three nights in a hotel in Johannesburg, which was an additional $200 per night. His friends agreed with him that they should do it.

So, was it worth it?

"Oh, of course. I mean I am from New England and I see the (Boston) Red Sox (baseball team) on a regular basis. I have paid more than that for Red Sox tickets for OK (non-playoff) games. We have actually commented on how inexpensive our opening game tickets were for what we were seeing and the excitement around it,"says Coleman.

Coleman told VOA what it was like being at the opening match. "Everybody was rooting for South Africa. Everybody wanted them to win. (It was) just amazing, louder than any sporting event in the United States I have ever been to. The vuvuzelas were amazingly loud. We had our own. The excitement when everything was going on was just crazy. You could not even explain how excited everybody was and how proud everybody felt," he says.

Chad Coleman said he and his two companions bought their own vuvuzelas, the long, noisy plastic horns that are so popular in South Africa. They purchased them from a vendor near Soccer City Stadium, paying only about $1 each. Coleman said someone showed them how to blow them because it is a bit tricky. "Everybody that first tries them looks like they are just spitting into them, because you expect it to just naturally happen. But it takes a little bit of shaping of your mouth actually to get it to make the noise and get it to work out. But once you do, it is kind of addicting," he says.

But Coleman added this precaution with vuvuzelas. "We did it through the whole game, so much so that my friend actually wore a spot out of his lip. It was bleeding and he got a scab because he used it so much. He was so excited to be using it constantly," he says.

Another awesome game at Soccer City! The Dutch just dominated the Danes!

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Our Park and Ride bus had Dutch fans singing Holland chants all the way to the stadium, with an Argentinian fan dancing to them
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Flood of fans going over the bridge
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Orange everywhere!
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Mixture of Dutch and Danish fans
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About to start:
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Holland's first goal!
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Jubilant Dutch fans
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Fans in constant celebration
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Another impressive attendance, although probably a Third of the suites were empty.
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Holland's second goal!
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After the game we took the BRT into Soweto to watch the Japan vs Cameroon game.
Excuse the quality I had run out of camera memory and used my blackberry onwards.

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Celebrating victory
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BRT lines moving swiftly
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Soccer City from inside the station
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We found this tiny bar on the way to Vilikazi street, and were convinced by the friendly owner, Martin, to watch the game there
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Literally seats about 10 people with a huge fridge taking up 1/4 of the room.
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During the game, a local celebrity joined us. (Not sure of his name, but he's in a few TV adverts)
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That was my first time in Soweto, and it was a great experience.
We tried to have dinner at a restaurant on Vilikazi, but they had run out of most of the menu items, so after a couple of drinks we headed back to Joburg.
Sure to be back soon though!

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http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3273/buddyicons/28468710@N04.jpg?1267972741#28468710@N04 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/photonube/) Uploaded on June 17, 2010 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/photonube/archives/date-posted/2010/06/17/)
by photonube (http://www.flickr.com/photos/photonube/)

Will this pitch hold. I realized it's being beat so badly and it doesn't look so good as it did or as compared to cape town's

true.

Very true! Quite worried since this is our main stadium. Hope we don't have a repeat of the Confederations Cup....

I think the pitch will be ok. We had our coldest evening in 10 years the other day just before the Arg vs Kor match which made the pitch look a little dry. I think it will recover for the Bra vs IVC match.

im more worried about the state of moses mabhida's pitch if im being completely honest!!

I agree - looks like its falling apart.

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thos images are superb, what an experience it must have been!

Soccer City pitch receives TLC
2010-06-21 14:03

Johannesburg - Extra measures have been put in place to ensure the pitch at Soccer City remains in top shape for the duration of the World Cup, which ends with the final at the Soweto stadium on July 11.

The recent cold snap on the highveld has led to frosty conditions at night, causing discolouration of the pitch at one end of Soccer City, which was clearly visible during Sunday's Group G match between Brazil and Ivory Coast.

"It's the impact of shade and frosting," FIFA pitch consultant John Lockyer, who is responsible for the pitches at all 10 World Cup stadiums, told a press conference Monday.

Lockyer said the short daylight hours during the South African winter meant the section of pitch has been in almost permanent shade for nearly three weeks now, with the problem exacerbated by the impact of recent frost.

Germination blankets, supplemental growth lights and a protective frost cover are now all in place to protect the surface and with warmer temperatures expected in the coming days, Lockyer believes the problem with grass growth will be resolved.

"We expect that to catch up quite quickly in the next few days," he said.

While the pitches in high-altitude Johannesburg and Pretoria have to fight with the problem of frost, the surfaces in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth have at times had to be closed because of rain.

Several pre-match training sessions at the two stadiums have had to be called off to protect the playing surface.

"These are completely normal measures," said FIFA spokesman Nicolas Maingot.

Despite the problems, the pitches at this year's World Cup are a vast improvement on the surfaces that teams had to deal with at the 2009 Confederations Cup.

The pitch at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg, for example, was uneven and completely cut up as result of rugby matches played there in the run-up to the tournament.

Although there have been mutterings of discontent about the semi-synthetic surface in Polokwane, no team has lodged a complaint about any World Cup playing surface so far.

The experts in charge of the World Cup's pitch management programme are using a mixture of summer and winter grass in an effort to overcome what Lockyer described as difficult climatic conditions.

sapa

Last nights game at SC was amazing though the atmosphere wasnt great. Felt there was better overall atmopshere at the USA-Slovenia and Ghana-Australia games I went to.
The stadiums are amazing though especially Soccer City. P&R's were pretty well organized. Rustenburg P&R was somewhat a disaster...

Yes Pathfinder riding on his 30inch Texas rims in South Africa, leaving the MacDonalds Texas dollar menu for Some African sunshine..

The White South African in soccer stadium. Great!
This Cup Brazil win, again!

Went to the Brazil vs Ivory Coast game on Sunday night, impressive isnt the word to use on this stadium. Its huge! Its beautiful! Its everything I expected & more! Got tons of pics will post some time this week

freezing.freezing.freezing match.

last nights game was epic, great goal by Oziel, congrats to both Germany & Ghana on getting through!

my pics :D

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_a_Jx5zwAr20/TCMiWnEMMyI/AAAAAAAAAYs/-OHDXNqQZqI/64_Soccer%20City%20night.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_a_Jx5zwAr20/TCMiXSEN6XI/AAAAAAAAAYw/aevD6qWxFdQ/65_Inside%20Soccer%20City.jpg

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I was too cold to take pics.

hence mine are so messed up! wearing gloves & taking pics! not cool!

Ah come on! It wasn't that bad! Barely a week ago, it was as low as -10. :banana:

it was alot warmer than at loftus for sa-uruguay and cameroon-denmark.

I knew SA gets cold but heck, I never thought of it being that nasty. I saw players coming out with blankets! dude, that is so bad. I wonder how those living in townships manage to warm themselves.

Most folks in the US have been wondering why a "desert" get wintry weather. (They always believe Africa is one country, with the Sahara desert)

STUNNING pics, DB! The first one is one of the best I've seen in a while! Thanks for sharing.

I knew SA gets cold but heck, I never thought of it being that nasty. I saw players coming out with blankets! dude, that is so bad. I wonder how those living in townships manage to warm themselves.

Most folks in the US have been wondering why a "desert" get wintry weather. (They always believe Africa is one country, with the Sahara desert)

Meanwhile, in Durban, people are shirtless and sunbathing everyday. :) Two Norwegian tourists interviewed on local radio today said they were surprised Durban looked and felt so much like Miami. I don't think they expected Africa to have such a city.

A waiter I spoke to at a new Durban hotel said his hotel hosted German guests for the Germany vs Oz match and they were surprised that there were skyscrapers in Durban. They said they didn't think Africa even had any.:lol:

yah let's hope the typical african misconceptions die now. deyiengs, a lot of people in the townships rely on self-built fire stoves to keep warm. it's still very tough for them though.

Meanwhile, in Durban, people are shirtless and sunbathing everyday. :) Two Norwegian tourists interviewed on local radio today said they were surprised Durban looked and felt so much like Miami. I don't think they expected Africa to have such a city.

A waiter I spoke to at a new Durban hotel said his hotel hosted German guests for the Germany vs Oz match and they were surprised that there were skyscrapers in Durban. They said they didn't think Africa even had any.:lol:

Thats why hosting the world cup will benefit south africa...not only financially...but it will quench what most people think of the whole africa ...and of course south africa...tourism should increase and investment in sa.

yah let's hope the typical african misconceptions die now. deyiengs, a lot of people in the townships rely on self-built fire stoves to keep warm. it's still very tough for them though.

Oh my!

I feel bad for those poor folks in the townships

How long are the Winters? And when are the best months to pay a visit?

this weekend is much better already but i expect another cold front. it usually lasts till early august. hard to say when the best time is. i love decmber/january but some people find it too hot. in that case september or april would be good.

yah let's hope the typical african misconceptions die now. deyiengs, a lot of people in the townships rely on self-built fire stoves to keep warm. it's still very tough for them though.


Portugal fan surprised by South Africa, usually happily

Portugal fan surprised by South Africa, usually happily AFP/File – A general view of Nelson Mandela square in May 2010. Portugal fan Pedro Pinto expected to see South Africa's …

JOHANNESBURG (AFP) – Portugal fan Pedro Pinto expected to see South Africa's World Cup played amid fields of poverty. Instead, he was surprised by the country's riches, and by its police seeking bribes.

"This is not what I expected at all," he said while strolling through Nelson Mandela Square, a plaza of pricey boutiques dominated by a statue of the former president, in a neighbourhood that calls itself Africa's richest square mile.

"When we heard that the World Cup was coming to Africa everyone back home was worried. I was not expecting a developed country like this, this is a sophisticated country," the 32-year-old said.

"My ideas about the country were proved wrong shortly after landing in Johannesburg," said Pinto.

The car mechanic from Coimbra arrived on his first trip to Africa in time for the June 11 opener, and was whisked from the airport to the city on the new three-billion-dollar Gautrain high-speed rail.

He's staying in Sandton, near Nelson Mandela Square, home to the stock exchange and corporate headquarters that create an immense concentration of wealth.

"I was expecting old buildings that are falling apart. To my surprise people are driving expensive cars everywhere," said Pinto who has never been to Africa before.

He said he was impressed by the overall organisation of the tournament, which was made even better by the friendliness of local people.

"The country prepared well, the stadiums are great. You see police everywhere and getting to the stadiums is easy because the roads are good and you can fly around the country," he added.

"Many of us had reservations about safety here. After two weeks we have realised that it is not that bad at all. We even walk back to the hotel in the evenings after dinner," said Pinto.

Security is one of the critical issues around the event, with 40,000 police deployed around the country to safeguard the tournament.

South Africa has a staggering crime rate, with an average 50 murders committed every day.

But crime, like the relentless poverty that 40 percent of the country still endures, is largely confined to shantytowns on the outskirts of cities, far from the stadiums and the well trod tourist trail.

Rather than crime, Pinto's main complaint was about corrupt police who solicited bribes from foreigners.

"These officers are spoiling the happy mood and creating a bad image for this country," he said.

"This one officer in Cape Town asked me to pay him 500 rands (65 dollars, 53 euros) so that he does not send me to jail for parking in the wrong place," he said, adding that he'd heard similar stories from other foreign fans.

"I have been speaking to some other foreign fans who are here for the World Cup, many of them have been intimidated by police and asked to pay money for small offences, for almost anything," added Pinto.

"In some cases ordinary people in Cape Town demand money when you stop to ask for directions. This is a very bad habit, some even get angry when you don't give anything."

Pinto and two friends hired a car to travel around the country between games, having read media reports that South Africa's public transport was lacking.

After arriving, he found government officials pleading with fans to take trains and buses that were upgraded for the tournament.

"We read that there were problems with public transportation in the country, now we find ourselves being treated badly by people who are supposed to protect us," said Pinto.

good to see south africa is turning heads..

pitch is showing frost bite real bad... should have had a plan in place for this one would have thought...

do they not have undersoil heating???

DigitalGlobe
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/4712378333_15429005d0_b.jpg

it's only on the side where there's shade during the day. they have a few days until friday so should get sorted out.

if eskom had some spare juice we could leave the lights on in that zone...:)

Qe-_3HKGLDQ

http://www5.picturepush.com/photo/a/3721878/640/3721878.jpg

How anyone can doubt this is the best stadium in Africa is beyond me.

Awesome find Pule!
It's perfect; for its size, its location, our national stadium.

Let the good times roll... :banana:

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/NZ-SA-to-meet-in-Soweto-20100702

Rugby
NZ, SA to meet in Soweto
2010-07-02 07:26


Wellington - All Blacks coach Graham Henry has inadvertently revealed New Zealand and South Africa will play their Tri-Nations rugby match on Aug. 21 at the Soccer City stadium in Soweto.

South African officials have yet to announce their decision to move the match from Ellis Park in Johannesburg to the 95 000-seat Soweto venue of this month's football World Cup final.

Henry let slip the information Friday in an interview with the stuff.co.nz website. He confirmed the venue for the match in answer to a question then recognized his error and sought advice from the All Blacks' media manager.

"Yeah, that's official isn't it," Henry said, before turning to media manager Joe Locke and asking "am I allowed top say that Joe?

"I've just said it, haven't I? It's been speculated ... no, I'm not allowed to say that. No, it's only speculated we're playing in a stadium that holds 97 000. Gee, that would be great, wouldn't it? I can't wait."

The South African Rugby Union was expected to announce the move in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

Let the good times roll... :banana:

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/NZ-SA-to-meet-in-Soweto-20100702

Rugby
NZ, SA to meet in Soweto
2010-07-02 07:26


Wellington - All Blacks coach Graham Henry has inadvertently revealed New Zealand and South Africa will play their Tri-Nations rugby match on Aug. 21 at the Soccer City stadium in Soweto.

South African officials have yet to announce their decision to move the match from Ellis Park in Johannesburg to the 95 000-seat Soweto venue of this month's football World Cup final.

Henry let slip the information Friday in an interview with the stuff.co.nz website. He confirmed the venue for the match in answer to a question then recognized his error and sought advice from the All Blacks' media manager.

"Yeah, that's official isn't it," Henry said, before turning to media manager Joe Locke and asking "am I allowed top say that Joe?

"I've just said it, haven't I? It's been speculated ... no, I'm not allowed to say that. No, it's only speculated we're playing in a stadium that holds 97 000. Gee, that would be great, wouldn't it? I can't wait."

The South African Rugby Union was expected to announce the move in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

It is truly going to be awsome!

It is truly going to be awsome!

bring it on knock down all the old era stadia there sad and irrelevant now..:banana:

Although Uruguay have a rich FIFA World Cup™ history, they have not advanced as far as the quarter-finals since their run to the last four in 1970. Ghana, their opponents on Friday night, have never gone this far in the tournament before, having reached the second round four years ago on their FIFA World Cup debut.

In both 2006 and in South Africa, the Black Stars were Africa's only representatives in the knock-out rounds, and they can also become the first ever side from the continent to advance to a semi-final with a win. Standing in the way of Africa's hopes is an in-form La Celeste led by one of the most dynamic front-lines at the tournament.

The match
Uruguay-Ghana, Johannesburg (Soccer City), 2 July, 20.30

For a team that struggled to qualify for the finals, Uruguay emerged as one of the dark horses of the opening stage after finishing top of Group A. After opening the event with a scoreless draw with France, they have secured three consecutive wins, largely thanks to the form of strikers Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez. Forlan scored a brace in the 3-0 dismantling of the hosts, while Suarez scored the trio of Uruguay's goals in the 1-0 win over Mexico and 2-1 victory over Korea Republic. Edinson Cavani is the most unheralded of the attacking triumvirate, but the Palermo forward can also be lethal if unchecked. However, Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac has earned a reputation for his tactical acumen, and the Serb has built one of Africa's finest defences.

With so much history on the line, Ghana could be forgiven for being overawed with the occasion, but the Black Stars are seemingly unflappable despite being the youngest team in the tournament. A side boasting several players who won the FIFA U-20 World Cup last year, they finished runners-up at January's CAF Africa Cup of Nations on the back of three consecutive 1-0 wins. They also held their nerve in a dramatic 2-1 extra-time victory over South Africa 2010's comeback kings, USA, in the second round. Asamoah Gyan has scored three of the side's four goals, and despite being hampered by an ankle injury, should be the fulcrum of the Ghana attack. Kevin-Prince Boateng also appears likely to win his fitness race, though the loss of starlet Andre Ayew to suspension will be painful. The door might now be open for the comeback of little-used Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari, and the possible return of previously injured centre-half Isaac Vorsah could also be a major boost.

Players to watch
Luis Suarez v John Mensah

A veteran anchor at the back for Ghana, John Mensah will need to call on all of his experience to stop the speed and creativity of the Uruguay attack. The 23-year-old Ajax striker Suarez is technically adept and capable of scoring from anywhere around the box. Although the powerful Mensah should have the advantage in the air, he could well be challenged for pace on the counter-attack, though the potential return of Vorsah could provide him with significant assistance.

The stat
7 – Asamoah Gyan has scored seven goals for Ghana out of the 11 they have tallied in full international matches in 2010. Ayew, Boateng, Muntari and Quincy Owusu-Abeyie have claimed the others.

What they said
"They are fast, strong, and they have done well in other games, even against Germany," Diego Forlan, Uruguay forward.

"They have a great team, especially in attack. This is what we have to watch out for because they have players like Forlan and Suarez," Asamoah Gyan, Ghana striker.

Voice of the fans
"Both teams have impressed me. Ghana has shown speed and a great ability to pass. Their defence is not the best but their ability to fire an attack has shown. I think that the first side to score will win. In this case, Ghana will pull through," FIFA.com user OnTarget06.

The question
Can Ghana eclipse Cameroon's exploits in 1990 and Senegal's in 2002 to become the first African side in the last four? Or will the two-time champions Uruguayans keep their good run going in a tournament where the South American teams have been immensely difficult to beat?

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=249718/match=300061508/preview.html

Who will get the guay:lol: or the neigh:ohno:.??

pitch is looking consistently green winter under effect yellow all round.....loving the first vuvu wave of the night ...bring more on.

thats 3 vuvu waves now....

http://www5.picturepush.com/photo/a/3721878/640/3721878.jpg

Simply amazing....:applause:

0-1 oh and i and i can hear the vuvu noise here in the ME.

if this goes to penalties?????

:badnews:



FOR AFRICA.



:goodnight

least we forget well done to URUGUAY. All the best going forward.:banana:

^^ If it wasn't for Suarez's hand, Ghana would have gone through.

well...and some penalty kicks either way....somoene had to leave with a win..Ghana excelled..probably missed essien...

http://www5.picturepush.com/photo/a/3721878/640/3721878.jpg

Good find Puls, did you get that picture from Gareth Cliff's FaceBook's account.

How anyone can doubt this is the best stadium in Africa is beyond me.

That is a point for debate, there are many great things about the stadium (I wont go through them again) BUT saying its the best in the continent is simply undermining other stadiums in around the country. Every stadium is great in a way.

del

http://www5.picturepush.com/photo/a/3721878/640/3721878.jpg

On this picture Johannesburg looks more like an American city :)

other way round might be more correct.

Good find Puls, did you get that picture from Gareth Cliff's FaceBook's account.

Nope, a friend sent it to me via email.

JHB needs a 600 meter skyscraper in the background there to round it off.

http://www5.picturepush.com/photo/a/3721878/640/3721878.jpg

What a sight, just a pity Hillbrow etc are no go areas for someone like me.

I'm hardly a photographer and this is a picture I took with my canon camera before brazil vs cote d'ivoire as i was approaching the stadium via bus

http://i45.tinypic.com/141jjau.jpg

another one as i was approaching the stadium.
http://i49.tinypic.com/6f58r7.jpg

more to follow especially scenes inside the stadium

ahh man.. some of my pics look very shaky because i was in a hurry and taking pics as i was walking. shit.
some decent pics taken from my seat.
http://i46.tinypic.com/e84x89.jpg

My seat happened to be right next to loads of Ivory Coast Supporters
http://i47.tinypic.com/2qnaxx3.jpg

http://i49.tinypic.com/347g1hs.jpg

path u shouldnt consider being a photographer soon

lol give him a break Dennis, awesome seats path, Im sure I must have seen you walking in :lol:

Naming rights fight coming up:

SMSA, FNB both claim right to rename stadium

A feud over the naming of Soccer City Stadium is simmering between little-known Stadium Management South Africa (SMSA) and FNB.

SMSA's plans to rename Soccer City the National Stadium after the World Cup could be scuppered as FNB insisted the naming rights to the stadium revert to it until 2014. FNB intends naming the facility FNB Soccer City.

SMSA, which claims to have been appointed the official management company of Soccer City Stadium, yesterday said the stadium would be renamed and officially referred to as the National Stadium.

Brescia Bianco-Badenhorst, the SMSA spokesperson, said: "While we have become aware of FNB's claim to name the stadium after the 2010 World Cup and statements that the relationship between FNB and the stadium will remain as such until... 2014, we confirm that no relationship exists between the stadium and FNB."

But Vicki Trehaeven, the FNB head of 2010 marketing communication, said the naming rights to the stadium would revert to the bank until 2014.

She said the naming rights were registered by way of a Notarial Deed of Servitude.

"FirstRand Bank is entitled to negotiate the renewal of the rights for a further 24 months after the current rights expire in 2014 and has the first right of refusal to renewing the contract," Trehaeven said.


Asked whether FNB would take the legal route on this matter, Trehaeven said FNB would be "asserting its rights accordingly".

FNB said it had been involved in Soccer City since the beginning and were a key sponsor of the World Cup. It said it had a contract that stated that three months after the World Cup, the stadium would be renamed FNB Soccer City for three years.

Barry Pollen, a director at SMSA, said it had won the stadium management contract in January last year after the City of Johannesburg had named it the preferred bidder.

He would not discuss the company's shareholders until after the World Cup.

Other directors of the company are Jacques Grobbelaar, the chief executive and Russell Stephens, the financial director.

Gabu Tugwana, the director of communications at the City of Johannesburg, told Business Report that SMSA was their preferred bidder. However, he was not aware of FNB's stance on the naming rights of the stadium and would ask the City of Johannesburg's legal team to respond today.

SMSA said the management rights of the stadium included all of the rights to advertising, sponsorships, naming rights and commercial rights.

The company is already selling tours to the stadium.

Source (http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=5542831)

I hope that they go with FNB Soccer City, it would be sad to lose the Soccer City name, one that millions of people now know.

Stadium operation does not give one the naming rights. The naming rights can be an entirely separate contract.

"National Stadium"....what an imaginative, inspirational name....:ohno:

I'll stick with Soccer City, thank you.

look at all these photos and think that i'm a loser.....how can i refuse to ride to africa?????

"National Stadium"....what an imaginative, inspirational name....:ohno:

I'll stick with Soccer City, thank you.

soccer city will only make it look like its only for soccer...it should called some fancy like wembley or ellis park....so the rugby and soccer team both share as the main home to south africa home matches.

call it soccer park...or ellis city.....socby park...socby city yea that sound cool....socby city.

The rugby looks to be confirmed:

Rugby will try and capitalize on the positive football vibe from the World Cup when they move the biggest local test of the year – the Springboks facing the All Blacks – to the new National stadium (formerly Soccer City).

The decision, taken jointly by the South African Rugby Union and the Golden Lions Rugby Union, and will see the World Champions defend their Tri Nations title against the current World number one side at a stadium that holds 94500 seats.

The move could see the biggest Springbok test crowd in more than 55 years and plans are in place to offer some of the tickets to the local community in Soweto.

The Lions have decided that 5000 tickets will be sold exclusively at Computicket outlets in Soweto for just R100 from July 26 while a further 9000 tickets will be sold at R350 – the lowest price for a major Springbok test since 2005.

Furthermore, fans will get a free parking ticket for every four tickets bought. The price of standard tickets is R500 - a price that was locked in before the start of the season as part of the Union's season ticket pricing.

A second release of tickets may be made at a later stage, depending on the uptake of stakeholders.

Tickets for the match are available through Computicket channels (Computicket outlets, Money Market counters in Shoprite Checkers and Checkers Hyper stores; online at www.computicket.com or through the Computicket call centre on 083 915 8000

Supersport (http://supersport.com/rugby/springboks/news/100707/Boks_take_All_Black_test_to_Soweto)

I'm glad to see such good prices. I'm sure that they can fill this stadium up. Also, urgh at calling it National Stadium!

i went to the ellis park lions test last year...the place was looking run down a bit ...field then was terrible...well we all know its 1000zz now...time to move boks soccer city from now on plz.

Lions mull moving to Soweto
2010-07-07 21:30

Johannesburg - The Golden Lions will be hoping to use the new National Stadium (currently Soccer City) as their base in future as they contemplate a move away from Ellis Park.

Lions president Kevin de Klerk confirmed that the union are looking to make the move across to Soweto a permanent fixture, after they decided to take the Tri-Nations Test between the Springboks and All Blacks to the same venue on August 21.

“It is a definite possibility and we are investigating the situation - but we walked a process with stakeholders for this test and will continue to do that with them to see what the possibilities are for a move for the Lions to Soccer City, " said De Klerk.

The Lions have been mulling such a move for a while now after dwindling crowds at their Ellis Park base have severly depleted the team’s fan base.

For a while now there have been complaints of fans not wanting to go to the stadium as they felt it was unsafe and the Lions are looking for a solution to this.

If the Soweto Test is a success, the National stadium could well become a Super 15 and Currie Cup home for the Lions as well.

:ohno:

i think important matches should be played at soccer city just like wembley.....what is wrong with ellis park...i guess they wanna make more money....by having 90,000 fans in there.

hahahahah

10,000 Lions supporters in a 90,000 stadium!

hahahahah

10,000 Lions supporters in a 90,000 stadium!

makes me wonder what they have smoked. They fail to fill even up to half of Ellispark.:ohno:

they fail to fill it with traditional supporters...time to move on.. fill it with soweto okes....now thats makin a plan.

they fail to fill it with traditional supporters...time to move on.. fill it with soweto okes....now thats makin a plan.

It's still stupid though, they don't stand a chance of getting anywhere near capacity crowds. Also the operator would be crazy to allow a rugby tenant. They field needs to be in top shape for cup finals, it can't have rugby every second week!

If tests in Joburg will be played at Soccer City in future, then I don't see much use for Ellis Park. The only thing that the GLRU have a 60 000 seater for is test matches. They could move to Joburg Stadium next door with 30 000 seats. What I would like to see is at least one Currie Cup game being played at Orlando Stadium.

hahahahah

10,000 Lions supporters in a 90,000 stadium!

10,000.... that attendance wil be it they reach the semi's... :lol:

whaaa ha ha and 9000 of thsoe are Sharks supporters.

I have watched currie cup rugger at ellis park when Sharkies palyed and no shit more than half the people were shark supporters

thinking of comming down from Dubai for the test match against ABs at the National Stadium

It's still stupid though, they don't stand a chance of getting anywhere near capacity crowds. .

at R10 a ticket it will be chockers, you underestimet the potential to build the SA rugby brands within the black community in our country. Im telling you there are 10 000 black Jono Lomus out there waiting to be discovered and flatten some poms and sheep naiers

at R10 a ticket it will be chockers, you underestimet the potential to build the SA rugby brands within the black community in our country. Im telling you there are 10 000 black Jono Lomus out there waiting to be discovered and flatten some poms and sheep naiers

I agree that there is massive potential in the black market. However we need to get past appathy, and at R10 a ticket GLRU won't be able to afford the stadium rental, I assume.

im just wondering what's gonna happen when the stadium is still empty after the novelty's worn off. blacks back winners as much as whites do. only one way to get past apathy and that's to win.

im just wondering what's gonna happen when the stadium is still empty after the novelty's worn off. blacks back winners as much as whites do. only one way to get past apathy and that's to win.

It won't host games every week. It will host the Soweto derbies, and likely the Nedbank Cup final each year, as well as Charity Cup. The Telkom Knockout and MTN 8 finals could also be held there. If SA clubs ever take the CAF competitions seriously, they could host some of the later stage matchs there for JHB clubs.

The Rugby World Cup should move to South Africa in 2011! :)

The Rugby World Cup should move to South Africa in 2011! :)

Yes! Eden Park's upgrade is behind shedule, Dunedin doesn't know whether their new stadium will be ready or if they will need to use Carisbrook. New Zealand can't host the World Cup, bring it to SA! :)

The Rugby World Cup should move to South Africa in 2011! :)
Wow if that had to happen!!! 2023 is so so so far away. wow but imagine SA by then! JHB, CT, DBN!!
lol time to pray that england (2015) or japan (2019) bail out!

thats never going to happen

thats never going to happen

Maybe Zille can negotiate with them!

i was talking bout the lions move to the stadium crazydude

i was talking bout the lions move to the stadium crazydude

Oh, I don't really see that happening.

Light show at SC.

http://cdn.24.com/files/Cms/General/d/812/50e538f9ce6d453d837d5a2b41e05dbd.jpg

news24.com

Light show at SC.

http://cdn.24.com/files/Cms/General/d/812/50e538f9ce6d453d837d5a2b41e05dbd.jpg

news24.com

This Lions thing is making me sick in the Stomach. First of all They are Banning the VUVUZELA in a Soccer Stadium, how about that? Second of all they want the Stadium to be named National Stadium. Because they don't want Rugby to be played in a Soccer named stadium. What are they smoking? dried dog poo or what. These guys definately have lost their minds, the stadium has been there since 1987, now they just want to go there and take charge since it has been renovated. They just want to go there and take charge of Historically Soccer stadium. I have never seen any PSL team moving to a RUGBY stadium and take control or renaming the stadium for that matter.

This is a slap in the face for local football. Football has saffered enough in this country and they have to be taken seriously as a No.1 sport in SA by far. The days of maginalising football are over. Those who think they are very powerfull in anything, we will show them the door. People talk with arrogance like the built the damn stadium. Even saying they will rename the stadium to a national Stadium, not wanting to play in a Soccer named stadium. thats the reason behind renaming it, people don't want to see Rugby being played in a Soccer stadium, that would look like Rugby begging for facilities from soccer. THIS STADIUM IS THE HOME OF SOCCER IN SA, you like it or not. Those who want to change the name must just go to hell because its not gonna happen.

SOCCER CITY WILL REMAIN SOCCER CITY, THE HOME OF SA FOOTBALL

This Lions thing is making me sick in the Stomach. First of all They are Banning the VUVUZELA in a Soccer Stadium, how about that? Second of all they want the Stadium to be named National Stadium. Because they don't want Rugby to be played in a Soccer named stadium. What are they smoking? dried dog poo or what. These guys definately have lost their minds, the stadium has been there since 1987, now they just want to go there and take charge since it has been renovated. They just want to go there and take charge of Historically Soccer stadium. I have never seen any PSL team moving to a RUGBY stadium and take control or renaming the stadium for that matter.

This is a slap in the face for local football. Football has saffered enough in this country and they have to be taken seriously as a No.1 sport in SA by far. The days of maginalising football are over. Those who think they are very powerfull in anything, we will show them the door. People talk with arrogance like the built the damn stadium. Even saying they will rename the stadium to a national Stadium, not wanting to play in a Soccer named stadium. thats the reason behind renaming it, people don't want to see Rugby being played in a Soccer stadium, that would look like Rugby begging for facilities from soccer. THIS STADIUM IS THE HOME OF SOCCER IN SA, you like it or not. Those who want to change the name must just go to hell because its not gonna happen.

SOCCER CITY WILL REMAIN SOCCER CITY, THE HOME OF SA FOOTBALL

mate...you live in Pretoria...your stadium is under pinned by the Bulls...you guys didnt have to fork out 3/4 billion ...so the rate payers of JHB will decide...cool...those who dont pay tax and rates need to get with the programmme...joining the world means doing it right no more free beez...agree or you got ideas.

This Lions thing is making me sick in the Stomach. First of all They are Banning the VUVUZELA in a Soccer Stadium, how about that? Second of all they want the Stadium to be named National Stadium. Because they don't want Rugby to be played in a Soccer named stadium. What are they smoking? dried dog poo or what. These guys definately have lost their minds, the stadium has been there since 1987, now they just want to go there and take charge since it has been renovated. They just want to go there and take charge of Historically Soccer stadium. I have never seen any PSL team moving to a RUGBY stadium and take control or renaming the stadium for that matter.

This is a slap in the face for local football. Football has saffered enough in this country and they have to be taken seriously as a No.1 sport in SA by far. The days of maginalising football are over. Those who think they are very powerfull in anything, we will show them the door. People talk with arrogance like the built the damn stadium. Even saying they will rename the stadium to a national Stadium, not wanting to play in a Soccer named stadium. thats the reason behind renaming it, people don't want to see Rugby being played in a Soccer stadium, that would look like Rugby begging for facilities from soccer. THIS STADIUM IS THE HOME OF SOCCER IN SA, you like it or not. Those who want to change the name must just go to hell because its not gonna happen.

SOCCER CITY WILL REMAIN SOCCER CITY, THE HOME OF SA FOOTBALL

This stadium was said to be renamed the "National Stadium” long before the Lions came to the equation.

This is a multipurpose venue, not a "soccer only" venue.

Banning the vuvuzela is sad but it is a part of SA football culture, not SA Rugby culture. The decision to ban the vuvuzela came from both SARU as well as the Tri-Nation board. The decision of whether to to ban the vuvuzela will depend on the type of event, and will be left to the event organisers to decide.

Surely the fact that this along with other world cup venues will too be used for rugby is no shock to you. It has been the plan since day 1. I don't believe this has anything to do with political gain, rather an attempt to make the venue work at its best.

This stadium was said to be renamed the "National Stadium” long before the Lions came to the equation.

This is a multipurpose venue, not a "soccer only" venue.

Banning the vuvuzela is sad but it is a part of SA football culture, not SA Rugby culture. The decision to ban the vuvuzela came from both SARU as well as the Tri-Nation board. The decision of whether to to ban the vuvuzela will depend on the type of event, and will be left to the event organisers to decide.

Surely the fact that this along with other world cup venues will too be used for rugby is no shock to you. It has been the plan since day 1. I don't believe this has anything to do with political gain, rather an attempt to make the venue work at its best.

Sure rugby can be played there, a test match once or twice a year. A Lions play-off game, when they get there every 10 years, but not a weekly rugby tenant. It's not like the GLRU is pulling in the crowds to start with.

build off the back of the super final in soweto...mke a new support base...the old brigade over time have shown no interest...

It doesn't matter what they decide to call it after the WC, for most of us it will always be called Soccer City - period.

I happen to agree with Luambo - heard the man on radio and the arrogance of Hoskins is just not on. This is a soccer stadium which will be used for rugby from time to time.

he who paid for it ownes it...things have changed since 11 june mate..paying for the privalige is the new theme...time to programme up or go to greece...like greece enlightening.

i think its a bit unfair for soccer fans to be up in arms about soccer city being used for rugby considering that our rugby unions have allowed soccer games to be played in their stadiums for years! what i don't agree with, however, is the golden lions moving into soccer city as if it's their own... they should follow the irish model in so far as leinster still play all their games at the RDS Arena with all the big heineken cup games being played at Croke Park/Aviva Stadium. i dont think there is a need to stop playing rugby in Ellis Park esspecially considering a lot of international commentators have commented on what a lovely stadium ellis park is despite its age..

ellis park is paid for...4 billion sitting around needs servicing...fast...or jhb suffers

5 more goals tommorow from this stadium will pass germany 2006.

we will piss it dennis wait ...watch enjoy ...its gonna be huge mate...

ellis park is being treated like this mornings prostitute. Was it not stunning during the world cup? and suddenly nobody wants it. For f... sakes just because a better stadium suddenly appears doesn't mean you need to abandon what you already have. Ellis Park is way better than what the golden lions rugby union even deserve.

Soccercitys render along with Rotterdam and Madrid are on todays Banner, representing the final that will be played between Holland and Spain. I would of had prefered a banner with Soccercity with Johannesburg in the background.

Freeman, Theron among celebs to attend World Cup final
July 10th, 2010 SindhToday

Johannesburg, July 10 (DPA) Nelson Mandela’s attendance at the World Cup final in Johannesburg is uncertain but his double, US actor Morgan Freeman, will be ther, so will South African-born actress Charlize Theron and a host of other celebrities and VIPs.

Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg’s Soweto township is sold out for the final between Spain and the Netherlands, which kicks off at 8:30 p.m. (1830 GMT).

Fifteen African heads of state, including Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, are expected to join President Jacob Zuma at the game and preceding closing ceremony.

Colombian popstar Shakira has been called on to sing out the World Cup with her tournament anthem “Waka Waka.” Hundreds of South African and African musicians and dancers will also draw the curtain on the first World Cup in Africa.

Celebrities flocked to the World Cup in the latter stages, attracted by the scenes of celebration across South Africa and the continent.

Morgan Freeman, who was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of former president Mandela in the rugby movie Invictus last year, is returning to South Africa for the final.

It is unclear whether the 91-year-old anti-apartheid icon would himself be present.

Joseph Blatter, president of world football governing body FIFA, said Thursday that he hoped the frail statesman, who missed the opening ceremony to mourn the death of his great-granddaughter in a car crash, would make at least part of the event.



World Cup: Kings, princes and tennis stars on the guest list
July 10, 2010 | 1:44 pm

More than a dozen heads of state, four princes, a king, a queen, two princesses and two Nobel Peace Prize laureates are among the guests expected to attend Sunday's World Cup final between Spain and the Netherlands.

Nelson Mandela's name was not on the list of invited VIPs released by FIFA, but there is still hope that the former South African president and anti-apartheid activist, who has been in frail health, can make it to the match to present the World Cup trophy to the champion.

Also among those expected to attend is eight-time tennis grand slam champion Rafael Nadal, actor Morgan Freeman, model Naomi Campbell and tenor Placido Domingo.

In addition to South Africa President Jacob Zuma, who has attended a number of matches in the World Cup, other invited heads of state include John Atta Mills, the president of Ghana; Mwai Kibaki, the president of Kenya; Dutch premier Jan Peter Balkenende; Armando Guebuza, president of Mozambique; Zambian President Rupiah Banda; and Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe. Nobel Peace Prize winners Desmond Tutu and F.W. De Klerk, former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Queen Sofia of Spain and Prince Albert II of Monaco are also expected.

Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee, will attend the final, in a way to charm for South Africa's Olympic bid for 2020, with Durban with a strong chance to play host to those Olympics.

South Africa shines in run-up to World Cup finale
By Joshua Howat Berger (AFP) – 20 hours ago

JOHANNESBURG — South Africa basked Saturday in the success of its trouble-free World Cup, as finishing touches were put to the closing ceremony with superstar Shakira and a herd of giant elephant puppets.

With less than 48 hours to go, the country is bursting with pride at proving wrong the doubters who for years feared that the nation's high crime rate and poor public transport would undermine the tournament.

But the event went off without a major hitch, as hundreds of thousands of foreign fans descended on the country, and South Africans wrapped themselves in a patriotic spirit that bridged the still sharp racial divide.

President Jacob Zuma met Saturday with Olympics chief Jacques Rogge, who has said he would welcome a South African bid for the 2020 Olympics.

Without mentioning a potential bid, Rogge praised South Africa's hosting of the World Cup.

"It is something that will be remembered for a very long time. It will make all Africa proud and the entire sports movement is very happy about that," he said.

Zuma has repeatedly highlighted the social gains brought by the World Cup, with fans of all races gathering in stadiums, 16 years after the first all-race elections.

"The explosion of national pride and the unity that has been displayed by all South Africans is an invaluable benefit of the tournament," Zuma said.

"Let us keep celebrating, let the vuvuzelas keep blowing and let the football festival continue at Soccer City and the fan parks until the final whistle. This has been a truly inspiring, moving and uplifting month."

Zuma also praised South Africans for "embracing one another and Africa", for opening their hearts and the country to the world, and for redirecting support to other teams once the national squad Bafana Bafana bowed out.

Despite the success so far, local organising committee spokesman Jermaine Craig admitted to "a few butterflies and nerves today ahead of the big one".

An estimated 500 million viewers around the world are expected to watch Sunday's final between the Netherlands and Spain, making it one of the most-watched events in history.

South Africa invested 38 billion rands (five billion dollars, four billion euros) in its World Cup preparations, building five new stadiums and renovating five others -- including the showpiece Soccer City, venue for the final match and now the biggest stadium on the continent, with up to 94,500 seats.

The country also unveiled a smart new high-speed train, repaired highways, opened a new airport, and built new bus and train stations ahead of the June 11 kick-off.

Tourists are estimated to have spent 1.1 billion dollars at the World Cup, but South African leaders insist the social benefits have been far greater.

"What we cannot quantify is the generation of pride in South Africa as a nation, the unity, the sharing of a single vision," said chief organiser Danny Jordaan.

"We have seen black and white side by side at fan parks and stadiums, when for many years these people were prohibited by law to sit together," he said.

"The demographics at stadiums really showed football contributed towards nation building."

After Saturday's battle for third place between Germany and Uruguay, Sunday's final will be South Africa's last moment in the World Cup spotlight.

Colombian superstar Shakira is headlining the pre-game show with South African Grammy winners Ladysmith Black Mambazo, while a herd of white elephant puppets will parade through Soccer City.

South Africa has been waiting anxiously for word on whether Nelson Mandela will watch from home or from the stands.

"We are keeping our fingers crossed for Mandela to come," Jordaan said. "If he does, that would be a grand moment."

The country's first black president played a crucial role in bringing the World Cup to the country, but has yet to attend a match.

He cancelled a planned appearance at the opening after his great-granddaughter died in a car accident. His foundation says Mandela and his family will only decide on Sunday if he will attend the final.

"The demographics at stadiums really showed football contributed towards nation building."

i agree...more to be done...next big tournie ?? pls.

robert mugabe is allowed to attend the match, thats a disgrace.

hahaha thats RObert Gabriel Mugabe to you! you western colonial moron!

mrs waka waka is lookin smart hey dennis...

waka waka pd.....hey hey.....dunno if knaan will sing

femi kuti out of nigeria ...for me

so far fantastic show...puts the opener in its place...ladysmith doing a great rain number ...elezz look so real...touching

hahaha thats RObert Gabriel Mugabe to you! you western colonial moron!

very bad manners to ignore the neighbours when making a hell of a wracket...:banana::banana:

Hope the officials didnt make Mandela use the Park&Ride to get to Soccer City!!

Hope the officials didnt make Mandela use the Park&Ride to get to Soccer City!!

waiting to see the big man...he`ll upstage the whole event...wait watch...listen :dj:to the vuvus when it happens.:)



oops there he is..

closing ceremony was amazing, i dont think i have ever seen a graphics display like that and intelligently used as well...well done

no torres at the start.