Bafana fans switch support after dreams die
Thursday, 24 June 2010
BLOEMFONTEIN, June 23 (AFP): England, Brazil, or Argentina? South Africa fans are split on which team they will switch their allegiances to following the demise of their beloved Bafana Bafana.
The home supporters dared to dream during their match with France Tuesday in Bloemfontein when South Africa surged into a 2-0 lead with the scoreline in the other Group A clash between Mexico and Uruguay also going in their favour.
But despite a brave effort by their side in downing the 1998 world champions 2-1, they saw their dreams die, becoming the first host nation to crash out at the first stage of a World Cup.
Now the yellow-clad supporters who were roaring on their team at the Free State stadium are lining up behind other sides left in the tournament.
"Generally I'm an English supporter because of all the soccer we see. It's always been the Premier League we've seen most over the years," said Rashaad Domingo, who had travelled from Cape Town for the match.
Dany Chung, originally from Mauritius but who now lives in South Africa, is also transferring his allegiances to Fabio Capello's men.
"After Bafana I support England," said the Liverpool supporter, who also said he liked watching Argentina play.
Page Makhalemele said he was disappointed that African teams had not done better in the first World Cup on the continent's soil, saying he would like to see Diego Maradona's Argentina go all the way.
"Brazil will win but I want the competition to go to (Lionel) Messi and would like to see Diego Maradona lift the trophy for Argentina as a coach," said the vuvuzela-wielding Makhalemele.
The home supporters dared to dream during their match with France Tuesday in Bloemfontein when South Africa surged into a 2-0 lead with the scoreline in the other Group A clash between Mexico and Uruguay also going in their favour.
But despite a brave effort by their side in downing the 1998 world champions 2-1, they saw their dreams die, becoming the first host nation to crash out at the first stage of a World Cup.
Now the yellow-clad supporters who were roaring on their team at the Free State stadium are lining up behind other sides left in the tournament.
"Generally I'm an English supporter because of all the soccer we see. It's always been the Premier League we've seen most over the years," said Rashaad Domingo, who had travelled from Cape Town for the match.
Dany Chung, originally from Mauritius but who now lives in South Africa, is also transferring his allegiances to Fabio Capello's men.
"After Bafana I support England," said the Liverpool supporter, who also said he liked watching Argentina play.
Page Makhalemele said he was disappointed that African teams had not done better in the first World Cup on the continent's soil, saying he would like to see Diego Maradona's Argentina go all the way.
"Brazil will win but I want the competition to go to (Lionel) Messi and would like to see Diego Maradona lift the trophy for Argentina as a coach," said the vuvuzela-wielding Makhalemele.