Last night’s result might not have been great, but it was a really good night out, and we did get to see this goal by Mbekezeli Mbokazi.
Ooh, I say… Pick. That. Out.
On a more serious note, football matches remain THE best, most multi-cultural, most enjoyable, greatest community-building events in South Africa. We were surrounded by every race, every language last night, and people just engage with one another over a common activity. All friendly faces, no trouble, no stress, just a really happy night full of good vibes.
Bafana Bafana are back in Cape Town, and we’re going along. I’m writing this from the back of an Uber, heading into town and towards the DHL Stadium.
A spot of food and a drink or two on the Waterfront, and then we’ll head up to watch the second leg of the two-legged friendly between South Africa and Panama. A decent test for each of them ahead of the World Cup, and all to play for after last week’s 1-1 draw in Durban.
I’ll try and share a few photos on this post a little later, so do pop back.
HT 0-0. How did he miss that chance though?
Cape Town (DHL) Stadium continues to be beautiful…
FT: Disappointing result. Some work to do on the defensive side of things.
Not had very many of them recently, and not the biggest fan of international football, but both South Africa and England are on their way to North America for next year’s World Cup.
England’s progression was a bit of a foregone conclusion, but Bafana Bafana needed to put last week’s rubbish performance behind them and win, and hope that Nigeria did the business over Benin.
All the things happened, all the stars aligned, and so it was a good night for the football.
We went down to the DHL Stadium in Cape Town last night for the AFCON qualifier between South Africa and South Sudan. As I mentioned yesterday, this match didn’t matter too much, with SA already qualified, and SS already… not. And so it was a bit of a free hit, and an opportunity to celebrate both the qualification and the first Bafana Bafana game in Cape Town in 9 (nine) years.
And although the early kick off made it tough for a lot of people to get there on time, the stadium did fill up and there was a really joyous and jubilant atmosphere. A properly fun occasion.
Cape Town didn’t miss out on the chance to show off, as well.
It finished in a (more than) comfortable 3-0 win for the hosts in front of a passionate crowd; South Sudan almost being too bad to play well against. And – once the traffic had cleared – we made a quick trip to the Dark Horse for post-match drinks and bar snacks (OMG, the Prego Bruschetta!).
I’m not saying what time I got home (or in what sort of state), but you’ve seen the footnote beneath the title, and you know that I’ll be in bed by 8:30 tonight in an effort to make up for any lost time in Sleepsville, Western Cape last night.
Not playing, like we do most Tuesday evenings in Green Point.
No. Watching, like we are doing this Tuesday evening in Green Point.
When we bought tickets, South Africa v South Sudan could have been an all-important, must-win game for Bafana Bafana. But because of results in the intervening period (a win for each of them, as it happens), it doesn’t matter quite as much.
Still, a nice home win in front of a sold out (2 tiers) crowd would be very welcome. And it’s been too long since I’ve watched live footy. So we’re going to go down there and enjoy it.
And then eat some tentacles at the home of tentacles a little later.
