Comments on: Shadows, Modernity and Drama at the World Cup

By: Rick

Rick — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 17:21:23 +0000

“The broad American public may not be into the game, but the US team is ranked number 14 by FIFA. A Ghana win (ranked number 32) is a sweet victory for a team punching somewhat above its weight.”

That’s true. Actually, it’s pretty American to root for the underdog. If we were gonna lose then I’m glad it was Ghana and not England or France.

By: Ingrid

Ingrid — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 09:27:29 +0000

Rick,

Sorry for only responding now on your (perhaps) rhetorical question. The broad American public may not be into the game, but the US team is ranked number 14 by FIFA. A Ghana win (ranked number 32) is a sweet victory for a team punching somewhat above its weight. The fact that it is an African team makes it even sweeter.

Of course the Bafana Bafana victory (83) over France (9) is also very very sweet but also bitter sweet since SA didn’t make it pass the first round.

My tickets are booked for Friday’s match between Uruguay and Ghana, and I hope that they will once again be able to knock out a higher ranking team.

Ingrid

By: Rick

Rick — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 01:58:17 +0000

“And of course the victory of Ghana over the US last night was very sweet indeed.”

The World Cup is barely on the radar of American popular culture, and yet our team beat out dozens of countries that are incredibly passionate about it. Consider it a gift. Can’t we all just be satisfied in the fact that France didn’t win?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tc78yPv_ztM

By: Ingrid

Ingrid — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 09:22:10 +0000

I watched in agony as Bafana Bafana beat France. Considering that SA was supposed to crash and burn as a host nation, and as a football team, I think that we can feel proud. And of course the victory of Ghana over the US last night was very sweet indeed.
Some days it is easier to ignore the bad sides of the SWC!

By: mdurington

mdurington — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 20:44:51 +0000

Absolutely Sarah!

By: Sarah Linscott

Sarah Linscott — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 07:45:00 +0000

I am in Durban at the moment. Fact is when South Africa got the world cup (and for a few years after) it was pretty much presumed that (a) we’d never get the infrastructure built on time – especially the stadia (b) we wouldn’t have the electricity (c) no one would be able to get around the country (d) mobs of baying criminals were waiting to pounce on world cup visitors to rob and murder them.

well: (a) the stadia all got built and are fantastic (b) we have the electricity (c) transport has not been a problem (d) so far (hey this is South Africa let’s not tempt fate) there have been no major incidents.

What I find heartening from the world cup experience (sugaring the pill of the massive cost of it all) is that South Africa demonstrated to the world and itself what it is capable of when it applies its mind to something.

Also – it is really nice to see SA get some positive press for a change.