World Cup Kicks Off Today

Africa’s own global football mundial, its first gig, begins today – fittingly – in the courtyard of Nelson Mandela, the champion of freedom released from prison two decades ago to blossom racial mix, in a country once the merchant of apartheid.

Mexico and South Africa will display their talents in the first match, beginning at 4 p.m. (3 p.m. Nigerian time) at Soccer City in Johannesburg, the biggest stadium on the continent with capacity for 91,000.

The drama is here again. Of victories foretold and failures predicted! Of unexpected triumphs and spectacular defeats! Of heroic performances! Of established stars and unknown rookies. Of celebration by victors and the agony of the vanquished.

Nine cities will provide the setting, the best footballers from 32 nations will be the dramatis personae.

For four weeks, from June 11 to July 11, the world’s attention will be on the “fight” to win the 32 carat gold trophy.

Some countries have been tipped to snap it, others are seen as wild cards or among the rainbow countries making up the numbers.

The thin continental hope of lifting the World Cup in South Africa rests on the Cameroon of Samuel Eto’o and on the Cote d’Ivoire of Didier Drogba.

There is nothing in Nigeria’s antecedents beyond broken promises. Yet football is an arena of possibilities.

Nigeria cannot win except it has skill, and discipline, and prays to God for success.

If Super Eagles’ Coach, Lars Lagerback, has the technical savvy of Jose Mourinho, former Inter Milan Coach now with Real Madrid, and is a prayer warrior like him, God will give him the wisdom to surmount Lionel Messi of Argentina, the obstacle for Nigeria in Group B tomorrow, and proceed.

Mourinho works hard, and says, “I pray a lot. I believe in God.” And he keeps winning.

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) General Secretary, Bolaji Ojo-Oba, reminded country folks on June 2 that, “When it was looking bleak during the qualifying phase, every Nigerian rallied together and supported the NFF and the team to get through the difficult period.

“It is important that we keep supporting the team, and to keep praying for the team.”

So, the Eagles, backed with prayer in Nigeria, from the creeks and shanty towns to the cities and hamlets full of television viewing centres, could grasp the vision and run with it all the way to a spectacular final on July 11.

But beware of the usual suspects: Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Italy, France, Holland.

Then nostalgic England, the inventor of the game, is on fire kindled by Coach Fabio Capello.

And expect surprises from the under performers and the dark horses: Spain, Portugal, Uruguay, Chile, Mexico Serbia, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Slovakia, and Algeria.

Analysts based their take on the teams’ current monthly FIFA rankings as well as their performances in friendly matches with the results of their qualifiers.

Other factors are players who ply their trade in different leagues in Europe.

Brazil is always the favourite. It has won the competition five times, all away from home, and on all the continents where it has been staged.

There is no Ronaldo now. But there are plenty like him, same products of the street game in Rio de Janeiro, where the ball never touches the ground 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The relentless, free flowing street game in Rio de Janeiro is the factory where skillful Brazilian kids aspire to be like Zagalo and Falcao and Ronaldinho – from where they all burst onto the world stage, as Edison Arantes do Nascimento, Pele, did 52 years ago in Sweden aged 17.

The kickoff in Johannesburg will be preceded by a colourful, energetic, distinctly African musical fashion, in a dynamic opening ceremony watched live by hundreds of millions of viewers in 215 countries.

Lasting 30 minutes, it will have a cast of 1,581 world class artistes, dancers, musicians, and performers.

Multiple Grammy Award winner, R Kelly, will sing ‘Sign of a Victory’ joined by South Africa’s Soweto Spiritual Singers.

The ceremony will reflect Africa’s proud cultural heritage, and showcase the significant infrastructural and technological progress the continent has made, and include Africa’s rich artistic talent, established and emerging, as well as exciting new performers.

Also lined up are celebrated South African trumpeter, Hugh Masekela; Nigeria’s charismatic Femi Kuti, who will dish out ‘Bang, Bang, Bang;’ Algerian Afro-pop artiste Khaled; legendary Ghanaian band, Osibisa; top class South African artistes Thandiswa Mazwai, Hip Hop Pantsula (HHP), TKZee, and vocalist Timothy Moloi.

Praise singer and poet, Zolani Mkhiva, too will show up. There will be songs by Letta Mbulu and Chicco, plus the Field Band Foundation, an innovative and exciting set with a track for youth development through music and dance among disadvantaged communities.

The theme of the ceremony is “Welcoming the World Home,” produced by the VWV Till Dawn Consortium, comprising the VWV Group and Till Dawn Entertainment.

The consortium, which successfully staged the opening and closing ceremonies of the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009, will also produce this tournament’s closing ceremony on July 11.

The opening ceremony features African giants of the music and entertainment industry, who will display to a worldwide audience of millions the talent, creativity, technology, the welcoming spirit, and the hospitality of the continent.

“It will undoubtedly be a real African celebration of joy, life, and energy,” said Danny Jordaan, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Organising Committee.

“It will be a super showpiece of the very best of African arts, culture, song and dance. There will be a full representation of South African artists and artists from Africa, especially from the participating six-pack nations representing Africa at the tournament,” added South Africa’s Minister of Arts and Culture, Lulu Xingwana.

Kelly, the Grammy Award winner, said participating in the opening ceremony “is the biggest thing I’ve ever been involved with. I’ve heard so many great stories about Africa.

“To be here in this way, performing at the World Cup, there’s just no words for this. Musically, this is my World Cup. Any time you get the chance to be part of something this big and historic, it’s definitely very special.