Day 3

I awoke to a warm sunny day in Cape Town. The third day of the 2010 World Cup would be underway shortly. Later on this day, Slovenia beat Algeria, Ghana beat Serbia and Germany thrashed Australia 4-0. The murmurings about the Jabulani ball and the sound of the vuvuzela are getting louder. Both, I can predict with certainty are here to stay.
For the first time in World Cup history, Africa has six participants in the finals, due to South Africa hosting the event this year. The great Pele of Brazil has commented to the effect that South Africa is incapable of hosting a World Cup. This comment has drawn a sharp rebuke from soccer great, Maradonna who is coaching the Argentina team here.
I flew to Johannesburg later in the afternoon. We were met on our arrival with the loud sounds of the Cape Minstrels seeking to inject some atmosphere into a lacklustre Cape Town International airport. The airport was all but quiet. The weather had changed. It was now raining in Cape Town and the temperature had plummeted.
Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo airport was just as quiet on arrival. The airplane had parked some distance away from the baggage collection point, necessitating a long walk through a dreary part of the airport. I had flown to Johannesburg to attend the 13h30 match the following day between Denmark and the Netherlands to be played at Soccer City, the tournament’s showpiece stadium.
A visit to the Nelson Mandela Square at the Sandton City complex indicated that this had become the congregating place of the participating teams’ followers. The Brazilian supporters had arrived and were making their presence felt.
I retired for the night in anticipation of an exciting day tomorrow.

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