Getting the tickets:

When South Africa was given the green light to host the World Cup this year, I was just happy for them. I didn’t know how I’d be part of this event. By January though, I decided I would go to any game, just to be part of the first ever World Cup in Africa. I asked one of my cousins in Pretoria to buy tickets for me and for months he couldn’t. Sometime in April, when in Pretoria for my sister’s graduation, I decided to buy any match ticket available as long as it’s in Rustenburg, Johannesburg or Pretoria. That day at the Brooklyn Ticketing Center, I bought the only tickets available at the time-Japan versus Denmark game. However, I vowed to buy one more ticket to another good game. I become a loyal fan of FIFA.COM and Sowetan Online.

One day in May, I read on Sowetan Online that the last batch of tickets would be released in a few days and my hopes of finding a ticket were rekindled. Even more delighting news was the fact that  the tickets would be sold in two FNB branches in Botswana. On May 27th, I was one of the first people to buy tickets to the Game 54 (Round of 16 games at the Ellis Park Stadium) at an FNB branch. I also bought the USA versus England game- one of the most anticipated games. I also had great seats because my tickets were category 1 meaning I got to see the games from a very clear view.

USA (vs) England Game- June 12th 2010, Royal Bafokeng-Rustenburg
I hadn’t picked any team to support except the Black Stars of Ghana that even one of my colleagues even bashed me for this choice. I bought a pair of shades with the Ghanaian flag to show my deep seated loyalty for them and proudly wore them at the USA vs England game. I was extremely proud of their achievement despite the outcome of their encounter with Paraguay. Was I sad? Yes. But I’m still proud to say they are the only African country that went as far as they did. Anyway, back to my story. The mood of the spectators in this platinum rich city is so high. There are many people who have come for these games and I also meet lots of Batswana going for this game. Later in the day, we headed to the park and ride and I was impressed with the transport logistics for all fans to reach the stadium.

In the bus that we rode in, the English and American fans sang and made fun of each other. Walking to the stadium with hordes of foreign fans was fun and exhilarating. The English fans were so passionate and for the four hours that I was at Royal Bafokeng, they couldn’t sit down. They sang all kinds of songs and swore so much! A few months back, when the English Premier League was in full swing, I remember telling someone that I just had to attend one of these games before I ‘kicked the bucket’. But you know what, after this game, I don’t think I really have to because these English fans gave me that atmosphere and feeling that I have longed for when I see it on TV.

Brazil versus Chile Game- June 28th 2010, Ellis Park, Johannesburg

When we arrived in Johannesburg, I was astonished at the lack of the usual traffic and pile ups in major roads. I now see the benefits of the South African government investing so much money to haul the roads. One of the security guards ‘organized’ the park and ride ticket for us because we couldn’t buy one at “Computicket”. The lines to get into Ellis Park were so long. It’s so slow but we patiently waited. One Chile fan started to sing and everyone stared at him. He sang ‘Chile support Bafana, Bafana support Chile’ for as long as we were in the queue. Inside there were so many people trying to get to their stands and it seemed everyone was wearing a Brazil t-shirt, cap, scarf or something inscribed “Brazil”. The most exciting thing for me at this game was when I realized where I was to be seated. It’s lower part and it is seat “CC”. We were literally behind the many photographers on the pitch. Whilst inside, the public announcement (PA) system mentioned over 54 000 fans were in attendance to this game and we all shouted to that, thanking ourselves for being among them. 

The Journey Continues
For the finals, I watched in a fan park and sealed a month long craziness that has engulfed the world and broke television watching records as well as usage of internet. After two games and big ones for that matter, I know why some of the people I met at the stadiums have attended more than one World Cup event.

Funny how, going to the games for me was not about the game itself. It was about the atmosphere and the feeling of being there.

It’s so fulfilling. I see why they are big screens in stadiums, so that for many of us who miss the goals, they replay them on the screen. I have made a promise to myself that I am going to Brazil in 2014 no matter the price and the good thing is so many people I know including my colleagues, friends and family who attended games or went to the fan parks are betting on Brazil. I will do the semi finals and the final games and will make every effort to stalk my favorite players and freeze moments with them.

…I can’t wait to be there at the biggest stadium in the World.

By Editor of "The Botswana Gazette"
Photography by John Ramatsui