The 2010 World Cup is exactly one year away.
This Sunday marks the start of South Africa's dry run - the 2009 Confederations Cup.
Many observers see this tournament, pitting South Africa and world champions Italy against football's six continental winners as a good indication of what to expect come next year.
With South Africa in the middle of their winter season, temperatures are expected to be quite chilly.
Johannesburg suffers its lowest annual temperatures in June and July, averaging 10°C (50 F).
Cape Town is warmer but has its heaviest rains at this time of year.
With night matches set to be cold, it will be up to both the players and the fans to generate some warmth.
Teko Modise, one of South Africa's potential Confederations Cup stars, is sure the local supporters will provide a colorful event.
"We've never seen a tournament like this, which is why everyone in South Africa is excited - everyone's favorite players are coming," explains the Orlando Pirates' play maker.
"The fans will come out in numbers and I imagine that if I wasn't a footballer, I'd be buying my vuvuzela right now and donning my Bafana Bafana jersey."
What's a vuvuzela?
It's nothing more than a simple horn made of plastic, which generates a noise often compared to a swarm of bees when blown by thousands of supporters. MY POV: Is this like the plastic horns blown by fans at Major League Soccer games in the USA? Oh NO ...
Visitors will hear the vuvuzela for themselves when South Africa start the Confederations Cup by taking on Iraq in Johannesburg on Sunday.
They follow it up with Group A clashes against New Zealand and Spain.
Group B, meanwhile, features Brazil, Italy, the United States and African champions Egypt.
No comments:
Post a Comment