My 2010 World Cup Diary: Day 2

The World Cup had begun and it was Day Two.You could only imagine the excitement.Faaiz Oz an Argentinian Fan couldnt wait to see Diego Maradona and his team playing live at Ellis Park against Nigeria.Many of the lads went to this game. The problem for most people though was do you watch the Argies vs Nigeria and see Lionel Messi or do you make the trip 2 hours North of JHB and watch England vs USA in Rustenburg. Doing both games would be pushing it. Myself and Moe were relaxed and we opted for a cool drive to Rustenburg.I wanted to see England and all the footballers we have grown accustomed to watching,Faaiz well decided to do both.More on that later.
So Myself and Moe had a good sleep,left at 1PM and headed towards Rustenburg,loaded our lucky makarapas and bought some English Flags on the way.

Our Lucky Makarapas.Brought usluck wherever we went during 2010

Rustenburg was gonna be freezing. En route we had the commentary on for the Argentina game. And along the way the Blackberry was just vibrating.Messages were stremaing in on how fantastic the atmosphere was and of course how majestic Lionel Messi.We were getting picture feeds ..........Technology is amazing hey.

Swoosh0018 Correspondent Hazrat Yusuf Rasool was on the scene and sent these pics into Swoosh0018 FanZone. Hazrat,Swaar,Husein Mayet,Riyad Loonat and many others described the atmosphere as simply Sublime and out of this World. How was it seeing Lionel Messi Live guys and please comment if you can.?

When we got to Rustenburg,English and US Fans were plenty.The vibe was fantastic and the fans were everywhere rocking the local shebeens and pubs around the Bafokeng Stadium.I was excited,It was time to see England and meet the fans that we heard about so much.Everybody was so afraid prior to the game.Weve heard and been warned so much about the English Fans and were told to be very cautious.Well only one way to find out..?

Happy English Fans before the game

When myself and Moe drove pass the Shebeens en route to the stadium we could feel the electricity,As we got to the gate we were swamped by choruses of Engelaaaaand,Enge land Engeland.US Fans were plenty all dressed in stars and stripes.The English were singing.For me this was it.This was my dream.To see England in a competive match at a World Cup and to expereience the fans.It was magical.We spoke to many fans before kick off and just took it all in.As a football fan again this was fantastic

Where was our Lucky Makarapa going to take us this time

USA Fans before Kick Off

As we made our way to the Stadium fans were singing and chanting.Banners were laid across the stadium in true English style.It was an amazing sight. I had a category 4 ticket and was behind the goals. Moe and Faaiz who just made it from the Argentina vs Nigeria game were in a cat 2 parallell to the English Bench.Ebie and Waseem Khan were in the midst of the English at the bottom of me. Bafokeng stadium was like no another.It was open and to be honest It was one of the worst stadiums that Ive been to in 2010.....and it was a freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezing cold night.

The banners of the English all across the stadium,What a magnificent sight

View from my cat 4 seat behind the goal

Eb and Waseem amidst the English

This is Swoosh reporting from a dejected England Zone in Rustenburg. I have been to many football games but watching England from when I was a little Boy and listening to England Fans and God Save the Queen was fantastic. The Fans outside the stadium and In were awesome. Hats of to the US Fans as well.

The Bafokeng stadium was a cauldron and the songs of the English Fans added to the atmosphere. Although many English fans wanted a victory, a Rob Green Howler and the curse of Calamity James has still haunted England. I thought England missed to many and well they have to sharpen up in their next two games. But simply awesome. Also to see the movement of the Big name Players.Off the ball etc. Amazing to watch. But Azee and the three Lions...This was something else. Amazing to watch England live in a World Cup Game.

USA Fans after the game

Jubilat USA Fans after the game

After the game the English fans left quick and the USA were celebrating.

My Experience of Bafokeng Stadium. Awesome atmosphere. Was f34ken Cold and I thought the transport system from the stadium was terrible.As we made our way to the car we seen so many US and English Fans that came to us and say Please Help.How do we get to JHB.Apart from that it was a spectecular night of football. It wasnt good to b Rob Green but England and USA both shared the spoils and teh atmosphere was terrific.My first England game and if all goes according to plan we will see a possible England vs France quarter final at Soccer City.

Earlier on Greece lost 2-1 to Republic of Korea. There is a massive Greek community in South Africa.Im sure they must have been bitterly disappointed as the Greeks were beaten 2-0