Celebrations at the Soccer City were restrained as South Africa was held to one all draw by Mexico in the opening match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

For 24 minutes, it seemed the fairy tale start to the 19th World Cup was going to become a reality for the entire African continent as Midfielder, Siphiwe Tsabalala, gave Bafana Bafana the lead; after 54 minutes of play, with a superb left footed strike.  But Mexico’s Rafael Marquez sent the dreams down the drain with a 78th minute strike score after some sloppy defending by the South African side.

With high expectations from the locals, the African region, and the roaring sound of a thousand hopeful vuvuzela’s in the stands that cheered on the team, the opener was in no way a simple match for Bafana Bafana. The first half clearly revealed the pressure on the side as they were playing with a lot of nerves and the Mexicans took advantage this.

Bafana Bafana goal keeper, Khune, had to make three brilliant saves to keep his side in the match, with Mexico attacker Dos Santos being a thorn in the African’s side. The pressure did pay off for the Mexicans, they got a goal from a corner kick but it was ruled out for an offside.

After the first goal, Bafana Bafana played with great confidence and did begin to take the game to the Mexicans.  But the Vuvuzelas’, which had ruled for most of the night, were for a moment silenced as Mexico levelled the score line. Marquez, who was left unmarked in the box, had all the time in the world and expertly put the ball past Khune into the begging net.

South Africa still had a chance to revive the dream start but striker, Mphela, was unlucky not to restore the host side’s lead after he had steered clear of a defender and coolly put the ball past the Mexican goalkeeper only to be denied by the post.

After the full time whistle, the celebrations were constrained. The hosts were evidently not satisfied with the result and the expression on the face of Bafana Bafana coach, Carlos Alberto Perriera, said it all; “disappointing.”

Local soccer analyst Jeremiah Chiyenda, believes Bafana Bafana should be contented with the draw. “The hosts started on the back foot, but gradually found their passing rhythm against a young attacking Mexican outfit. Perhaps the 1-1 score line was a fair result considering Carlos Vela’s wrongly disallowed first half tap in. For there to be a tinge of frustration among SA faithful underlines one has to question how much confidence there is behind Bafana Bafana,” said Chiyenda.