South Africa's Tie with Mexico Satisfies Mozambique Fans

George Poulos - Mozambique Owner

The FIFA Soccer World Cup 2010 kicked off the first game ever in South Africa on Friday, June 11. South Africa played Mexico in Soccer City, Johannesburg. One lounge in Laguna Beach was open well before 6:30 a.m. to welcome dedicated fans to watch the opening ceremony and first match. Mozambique Steakhouse and Coastal Lounge is a South African bar and restaurant located on Pacific Coast Highway, just a short walk from the beach. The majority of World Cup viewers were South Africans wearing their colors, with the exception of a few Mexican fans.

Mozambique, Laguna Beach / South African flag

Latedan Coetzer & Rowan Harper hopeful for Bafana Bafana

Two South African fans arrived early: Latedan Coetzer and Rowan Harper. They met at Mozambique when watching rugby games in the past. Coetzer, from Oudshoorn, a small town outside of Cape Town located by ostrich farms, was happy to be awake during this time of the morning, but not too excited to go to work following the match. Harper, from Cape Town, was rooting for Bafana Bafana, but wasn't sure how they would play against Mexico. "It's the World Cup. Everything's gonna be tough."

Opening ceremony before first game of the World Cup with President Jacob Zuma speaking

With a population of 49 million people in South Africa, the atmosphere on TV was perhaps just as lively as that at Mozambique. Though there were no goals scored in the first half, South Africa scored the first goal of the 2010 World Cup in their home country in the first 10 minutes of the second half. Tshabalala received a brilliant pass to stick the ball in the goal. The crowd jumped, raised their hands and yelled in excitement at this moment in history for the host team.

Shebeen means "lounge" in English / Fans cheering as Bafana Bafana scores first goal



Excited crowd at the match's first goal

Cutberto Hernandez discusses Mexico's team and performance

Both teams got yellow-carded throughout the game. First, the ball bounced off a Mexican player's arm. Shortly after, South Africa committed a small foul in front of the goal. It was past 90 minutes when South Africa almost scored again, but the ball hit the corner of the goal post. Mexico scored in the second half. Marquez had an easy goal, yet Cutberto Hernandez, from Mexico City, thinks he is "overrated, because he's kinda old." However, he believed both teams played well, stating that they both deserved to tie. He said that Mexico was "scared by the crowd," but they were also "premotivated," "disciplined" and "psychologically strong" because of their Brazilian coach. "I think it's a great final score, 1-1. Both teams can continue on their dreams to qualify for the next round."

Mark Raissen playing a vuvuzela from Johannesburg

Mark Raissen--proud of South Africa's play--blows his vuvuzela

Another Bafana Bafana fan, Mark Raissen actually had a vuvuzela shipped from Johannesburg to California. These are the long horns we all hear in the stands, sometimes drowning out the commentators' voices. The spirit in South Africa is electric now. Expect to hear them for the games to come! Raissen believed South Africa "played much better than everybody thought they would play." He thought the athletes played well under the noise of the spectators. Regarding the vuvuzelas, Raissen thinks they will "drive everybody crazy," but when people start to get used to them, they will be South Africa's "secret weapon."

Mervyn Shainfeld happy with the outcome

Mervyn Shainfeld thought the score was a "fair outcome for both teams." Born in Johannesburg, Shainfeld has been living in the United States for 26 years. He has a shop on Bellflower in Long Beach. Shainfeld is just one of the many South Africans who have emigrated to the United States, including myself.

Overall, the atmosphere was one-of-a-kind at Mozambique, especially during an important game such as this one. To top the morning off, breakfast and coffee was served to keep the energy up. This is just the beginning!

Mozambique, Laguna Beach