Comment by George Dearnaley

I won’t lie, I actually don’t remember where I was when South Africa was awarded the 2010 Soccer World Cup.?

I vaguely remember a party, lots of music, dancing, hugging and kissing and a massive celebration that lasted a few days, but I’m not entirely sure where I was. I remember though, how excited I was that the world’s biggest and best (in my opinion) sports tournament was coming to my country.

I’ve watched the World Cup since TV first came to SA. It could all be a blur, with old age and everything, but I’m sure we got to see the highlights of the 1978 final between Argentina and Holland, Mario Kempes, Ossie Ardiles and thousands of pieces of tinsel floating down into the stadium – and I think at the time I thought it was all part of a fantasy world.

Since then, I’ve watched every tournament, and actually attended six games at USA 1994 including the final, two games at France 1998 and five matches at Germany 2006.?

All I can say for those who will be attending their first tournament, is that the World Cup is an excuse to have a world party. It’s not actually about the football, which is actually an excuse for people to take leave and travel across the world and meet like-minded party people all in the name of international football.?

When the first rumours of a ‘Plan B’ started doing the rounds, there were some who hopped on the bandwagon and pointed out the numerous things wrong with our country – from the unemployment rate, to lack of housing and the high crime rate – issues not unique to South Africa, but some thought enough to have the tournament shifted to other ‘more deserving’ host nations.

I think we are all certain that there is no Plan B now but we can’t rest on our laurels. The start of the tournament on Friday provides every South African with an opportunity to show the World what great hosts we are, why they should change their negative opinions about us as a Nation and more importantly, so we can look each other in the eye and know that we can do great things, we can achieve, we can succeed. It’s time for us to use this tournament as a platform for more development, more job creation, more Nation building. This positive sentiment and attitude can’t end when the tournament ends.

I hope the flags last, I hope we continue to celebrate our national teams on Fridays, I hope we find more unifying events going forward.?

Win, draw or lose on Friday, we can’t stop now. This is way more important than football.

George Dearnaley played for Bafana in 1992/93 and tried his luck in England a few times but never made it – because it’s not easy! He’s had six knee operations and knows how hard it is to get up on a cold morning. He believes Parreira is a great coach and that Bafana can get to the second round.

George Dearnaley will be writing exclusively for Sport24 for the duration of the Soccer World Cup.