22 June 2010
President Jacob Zuma has wished the national team, Bafana Bafana, well ahead of their crucial Group A match against France on Tuesday, while reminding South Africans that, whatever the outcome of the game, they are “already winners.”
“South Africans are already winners,” Zuma said during the launch of a social housing project in East London on the weekend. ” The whole world is looking at us and applauding our success so far as hosts. And we have proven ourselves to be fantastic hosts.”
Zuma urged the country not to give up hope and to continue supporting the national team, but more importantly to support the World Cup in general. “We must continue supporting the national team, the African teams and indeed the World Cup tournament in general as hosts.”
Zuma also took the opportunity to thank South Africans for helping to create an amazing spirit around the World Cup.
Since the opening of the tournament, South Africans have come out in numbers to display the colorful energy that the country is known for, brandishing their plastic vuvuzela trumpets and headgear made from miner’s helmets.
“We congratulate each and every citizen for such patriotism and amazing energy,” Zuma said. “You are ensuring that this becomes a vibrant African World Cup.”
The President was also impressed by the massive attendance at soccer games and fan parks, saying the country had proven to the world that it could deliver a spectacular event.
Bafana Bafana, following a draw against Mexico and a loss to Uruguay, will need a convincing win against former world champions France if they are to stand any chance of progressing beyond the group stage of the tournament.
The team will hope that Uruguay give the same treatment to Mexico as the two South American teams battle it our simultaneously at the Royal Bafokeng stadium in Rustenburg. Both clashes start at 16:00.
Bafana will go in to battle without their number one goalie Itumeleng Khune, who was given a red card, and a one match ban in last week’s game, for foul play. It will be up to the team’s number two goal keeper tomorrow, Moeneeb Josephs, to keep the French at bay.
Source: BuaNews
