Celebrations galore despite South Africa loss

Robin Toskin In South Africa

South Africa failed the test of the Spanish conquistadors in the Fifa Confederation Cup in Bloemfontein but their vuvuzelas were not to be gagged.

As was the case when Bafana downed the Kiwis to give a kiss of life to their quest, fans poured onto the streets across various towns to celebrate their passage to the semis after Iraq Lions failed to crack the New Zealanders.

South African fans, in their thousands came out to show their solidarity with Bafana Bafana despite a 2-0 loss to a strong Spanish side in Mangaung/Bloemfontein. The fans some of them in cars performed "Mozwaip" (racing through the streets and spinning them 360 degrees amid blaring music and hooting).

Frenzied celebrations

South Africa police, however, were on hand to control the frenzied celebrations. One officer who talked to FeverPitch in Pretoria rued a missed opportunity to blow a vuvuzela.

"Why not? I would be out there also celebrating. It is big day for us. I would also have taken out my vuvuzela to join the party," the officer said.

Unfortunately he was on duty, with a teargas canister in one hand and a walkie-talkie in the other.

A fan, Kumekile Mashaba heaped praise on young goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune for his bravery when he kept out David Villa’s penalty.

"I think in Khune we have a good goalkeeper. There wasn’t much he could have done when Villa struck because it should have been the defence shutting down the Spaniards.

Needed a draw

South Africa needed a draw to advance or better still, the Iraq versus New Zealand game to end in a draw.

Although it was a tough task of Joel Santana’s men against the Fifa top-ranked Spain, South Africa gave their best shot but fell short.

Valencia’s Villa struck the ball on the drop to give Khune no chance at the far post. Fernando Llorente swept in Spain’s second.