[WATCH] Today marks nine years since the opening of the 2010 Fifa World Cup
Described as one of the best Fifa World Cups, South Africa was placed on the world map for our spirit, friendliness and of course, vuvuzelas
POLOKWANE – Tshabalala’s goal, Suarez’s handball, Waving Flag and Waka Waka and who can’t forget the sound of vuvuzela’s ringing in every corner of South Africa in June/July 2010?
Ke Nako! Remember the feeling? Remember the vibe and the build up to the infamous 2010 Fifa World Cup? Today marks nine years since South Africa kicked off the tournament against Mexico at FNB Stadium and nine years since Simphiwe Tshabalala scored THAT goal.
Watch: Today marks 9 years since the FIFA World Cup was 1st held in Africa. Described by FIFA as one of the best the world has seen, it's also the 9th anniversary of this spectacular goal scored by football icon & Philanthropist, Siphiwe Tshabalala @siphiweshabba against Mexico. pic.twitter.com/K60j3tcG2x
— Nathi Mthethwa (@NathiMthethwaSA) June 11, 2019
Waka waka eh eh
You couldn’t drive anywhere in South Africa and not here the official song, Waka Waka blaring out of vehicles and fan parks. The song, sung by Colombian singer Shakira ft South African band, FreshlyGround, has since gotten over two billion views on YouTube.
The 2010 FIFA World Cup, which was won by Spain, was expected to be the most-watched television event in history with hundreds of broadcasters, representing 70 countries, transmitting the cup to a TV audience that FIFA officials expected to exceed a cumulative 26 billion people at an average of approximately 400 million viewers per match.
Still get goosebumps… https://t.co/mYJFMwo08T
— Craig Ray (@craigray11) June 11, 2019
In 2005, the organisers released a provisional list of 13 venues to be used for the World Cup, which included Polokwane and saw the birth of the Peter Mokaba Stadium complex, built to the east of the older Peter Mokaba Stadium.
The Peter Mokaba Stadium has a capacity of 45500, but for the purposes of the World Cup, the seating capacity was reduced to 41 733 and saw the stadium host four games.
Social media users have flooded platforms such as Twitter with nostalgic moments from the Cup:
Lemme take y'all back to 2010 fifa world cup⚽️🏆 pic.twitter.com/2JZ6GFoNTV
— Apfe Rally (@apfeswahorally) June 11, 2019
Exactly eight years back on this day Friday 11 June 2010 fifa world cup opening match between bafana bafana against Mexico kick off 16:00 #simphiwe tshabalala #our country#our lagacy pic.twitter.com/pghz5mqJ9P
— Baldwinphoko (@Baldwinphoko6) June 11, 2019
https://twitter.com/_KUMILLE_/status/1138377675196817410
Long live the memory of the 2010 Fifa World Cup Long Live🕺🏽#Chooseday https://t.co/j6NGk7oThN
— Rulanzen Martin (@rulanzensays) June 11, 2019
2010 Fifa World Cup 😭😭 what a time to be alive
— November 21st (@Gonzosforever) June 11, 2019
Tell us, what was your favourite moment of the 2010 Fifa World Cup?