World Cup Update: Americans learn to call it “football.”
The month-long World Cup tournament kicked-off Thursday with a gala opening ceremony followed by the opening game featuring the home team in a fierce contest with Mexico. In the game, South Africa and Mexico played to a 1-1 draw.
Black-Eyed Peas, Shakira rock the house.
Dazzling the crowd with her music and her African-inspired outfit, Columbian singing sensation Shakira brought the sell-out crowd to its feet. Even South African Bishop Desmond Tutu and U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden reportedly got their feet and hips moving as the crowd danced to the tuneful songstress. Shakira shared headline honours with the Black-Eyed Peas, a world-wide favourite with their eclectic mix of African rhythms, hip-hop melodies, and old-school R&B. Although saddened by the death of Nelson Mandela’s 13-year-old great-grand-daughter, the victim of a fatal traffic accident, the crowd still managed to send-up a great and joyful noise. Mandela himself had asked the South African nation to rise above the tragedy and celebrate as the occasion deserved. The nation responded.
Fans by the hundreds of thousands watched the spectacular opening ceremony from “fan parks” all around South Africa and all around the world.
Interest finally flourishes in the United States
The news about “soccer” in the United States is that soccer is news in the United States. Traditionally the only nation on Earth not crazed and frenzied over football, the United States finally has caught-up with the rest of the planet, fielding a respectable team and turning-out decent crowds to support the squad. On Saturday, the American crew capitalized on Great Britain’s miscues, tying the Brits 1-1.
