I don't think so. It started at 11am Pacific time and its got 10 minutes left.
***Official 2010 FIFA World Cup Thread***
- Thread starter slam
- Start date
I don't think so. It started at 11am Pacific time and its got 10 minutes left.
Does this ESPN Analyst know anything about African Football? smh...They have written off all of the African Teams. We will surely prove them wrong...
Blackstars all the day.. Cant wait for the Tournament to start.
Blackstars all the day.. Cant wait for the Tournament to start.
A few more hours.
Drogba possibly back for the opener...http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-...ack-training-boost-ivory-coast?cc=5901&ver=us
Hype for tomorrow...im going to go through a few of days over the next couple of weeks...
Allez les blues!
I could not even sleep properly last night
Did you see the looks on those concert people's faces ??
This is what they and the world has been waiting for. You just know that the opening ceremony is going to be so beautiful
Could rival Beijing
Woo hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Did you see the looks on those concert people's faces ??
This is what they and the world has been waiting for. You just know that the opening ceremony is going to be so beautiful
Could rival Beijing
Woo hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mandela to miss World Cup opening after the death of his great-granddaughter 
Nelson Mandela is to miss the World Cup opening ceremony after the death of his great-granddaughter, Zenani, in a car crash, his office says.
The 13-year-old died when the car taking her home from a Soweto concert on the eve of the World Cup overturned.
The car's driver has been arrested and charged with drink-driving, police say.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation said the tragedy made it inappropriate for the former president, who is 91, to attend the opening ceremony in Johannesburg.
"We are sure that South Africans and people all over the world will stand in solidarity with Mr Mandela and his family in the aftermath of this tragedy," said a statement.
"We continue to believe that the World Cup is a momentous and historic occasion for South Africa and the continent and we are certain it will be a huge success.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/africa/10290830.stm?TB_iframe=true&height=650&width=800
"Madiba [Mr Mandela's clan name] will be there with you in spirit today."
A host of celebrities from the world of politics, business and sport will attend the opening ceremony at Soweto's Soccer City stadium later on Friday, before the competition's opening game between South Africa and Mexico.
Crowds of flag-draped sporting fans are flocking to the venue accompanied by the beating soundtrack of a cacophony of vuvuzelas (traditional African trumpets).
But the celebratory mood has definitely been dampened by the Mandela family tragedy, says the BBC's Karen Allen in Johannesburg.
Drink-driving charge
The car carrying Zenani Mandela overturned as it came off a slip road on the M1 motorway, which travels through Johannesburg city centre, at about 0030 local time (2230 GMT on Thursday), reports said.
Foundation spokesman Sello Hatang: "Mandela will be there with you in spirit"
Police say the unnamed male driver, who was reportedly unhurt, may also face culpable homicide charges.
"He lost control of the vehicle and it collided with a barricade," police spokeswoman Edna Mamonyane told the Associated Press. "The Metro police found that he was drunk."
The driver was expected to appear in court for a preliminary hearing later on Friday.
Early reports quoted police as saying Nelson Mandela's former wife, Winnie Madikizela, had been in the car when the accident happened.
The Foundation told the BBC Ms Madikizela-Mandela was not in the car - which was the only vehicle involved in the crash - but that she had been taken to hospital because of her shock at the news of Zenani's death.
Continue reading the main story
All the major roads leading to Soccer City are under severe pressure, with thousands of cars trying to make their way into Soweto... Roads to nearby fanparks are currently gridlocked
Pumza Fihlani BBC News website World Cup: Live updates In pictures: South Africa 2010
Foundation spokesman Sello Hating said she had been released from hospital after a couple of hours and returned home.
"The family has asked for privacy as they mourn this tragedy," said the Foundation in a statement.
In a letter of condolence to Mr Mandela, Fifa President Sepp Blatter described the young girl's death as "unspeakably tragic".
Zenani had celebrated her 13th birthday on 9 June.
South Africa has one of the world's worst road safety records, and there are an average of 42 deaths each day on roads across the country.
Heavy traffic
Anti-apartheid icon Mr Mandela had campaigned for the World Cup to come to South Africa.
Dangerous roads
Continue reading the main story
Estimated road traffic death-rate per 100,000 people in selected countries
(Source: WHO, 2009)
Three Britons die in S Africa crash Beware South Africa's roads
Some 350,000 people are expected to visit South Africa for the competition, which is being held in Africa for the first time.
More than 1,500 performers are set to take part in Friday's opening ceremony, which will be broadcast in 200 countries around the globe.
All the major roads leading to the Soccer City stadium were under severe pressure several hours before the ceremony was due to start, said the BBC's Pumza Fihlani, as fans in thousands of cars tried to make their way into Soweto.
Roads to nearby fanparks - open-air venues where supporters without stadium tickets can watch the matches on large screens - were gridlocked, our correspondent added.
Thursday's World Cup concert had drawn tens of thousands to Soweto's Orlando Stadium, and traffic in the area had been busy into the early hours of Friday.
The event featured a cast of international stars - including Colombian singer Shakira, the Black Eyed Peas and Alicia Keys, as well as African stars Amadou & Mariam and Hugh Masekela.
Nelson Mandela is to miss the World Cup opening ceremony after the death of his great-granddaughter, Zenani, in a car crash, his office says.
The 13-year-old died when the car taking her home from a Soweto concert on the eve of the World Cup overturned.
The car's driver has been arrested and charged with drink-driving, police say.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation said the tragedy made it inappropriate for the former president, who is 91, to attend the opening ceremony in Johannesburg.
"We are sure that South Africans and people all over the world will stand in solidarity with Mr Mandela and his family in the aftermath of this tragedy," said a statement.
"We continue to believe that the World Cup is a momentous and historic occasion for South Africa and the continent and we are certain it will be a huge success.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/africa/10290830.stm?TB_iframe=true&height=650&width=800
"Madiba [Mr Mandela's clan name] will be there with you in spirit today."
A host of celebrities from the world of politics, business and sport will attend the opening ceremony at Soweto's Soccer City stadium later on Friday, before the competition's opening game between South Africa and Mexico.
Crowds of flag-draped sporting fans are flocking to the venue accompanied by the beating soundtrack of a cacophony of vuvuzelas (traditional African trumpets).
But the celebratory mood has definitely been dampened by the Mandela family tragedy, says the BBC's Karen Allen in Johannesburg.
Drink-driving charge
The car carrying Zenani Mandela overturned as it came off a slip road on the M1 motorway, which travels through Johannesburg city centre, at about 0030 local time (2230 GMT on Thursday), reports said.
Foundation spokesman Sello Hatang: "Mandela will be there with you in spirit"
Police say the unnamed male driver, who was reportedly unhurt, may also face culpable homicide charges.
"He lost control of the vehicle and it collided with a barricade," police spokeswoman Edna Mamonyane told the Associated Press. "The Metro police found that he was drunk."
The driver was expected to appear in court for a preliminary hearing later on Friday.
Early reports quoted police as saying Nelson Mandela's former wife, Winnie Madikizela, had been in the car when the accident happened.
The Foundation told the BBC Ms Madikizela-Mandela was not in the car - which was the only vehicle involved in the crash - but that she had been taken to hospital because of her shock at the news of Zenani's death.
Continue reading the main story
All the major roads leading to Soccer City are under severe pressure, with thousands of cars trying to make their way into Soweto... Roads to nearby fanparks are currently gridlocked
Pumza Fihlani BBC News website World Cup: Live updates In pictures: South Africa 2010
Foundation spokesman Sello Hating said she had been released from hospital after a couple of hours and returned home.
"The family has asked for privacy as they mourn this tragedy," said the Foundation in a statement.
In a letter of condolence to Mr Mandela, Fifa President Sepp Blatter described the young girl's death as "unspeakably tragic".
Zenani had celebrated her 13th birthday on 9 June.
South Africa has one of the world's worst road safety records, and there are an average of 42 deaths each day on roads across the country.
Heavy traffic
Anti-apartheid icon Mr Mandela had campaigned for the World Cup to come to South Africa.
Dangerous roads
Continue reading the main story
Estimated road traffic death-rate per 100,000 people in selected countries
(Source: WHO, 2009)
Three Britons die in S Africa crash Beware South Africa's roads
Some 350,000 people are expected to visit South Africa for the competition, which is being held in Africa for the first time.
More than 1,500 performers are set to take part in Friday's opening ceremony, which will be broadcast in 200 countries around the globe.
All the major roads leading to the Soccer City stadium were under severe pressure several hours before the ceremony was due to start, said the BBC's Pumza Fihlani, as fans in thousands of cars tried to make their way into Soweto.
Roads to nearby fanparks - open-air venues where supporters without stadium tickets can watch the matches on large screens - were gridlocked, our correspondent added.
Thursday's World Cup concert had drawn tens of thousands to Soweto's Orlando Stadium, and traffic in the area had been busy into the early hours of Friday.
The event featured a cast of international stars - including Colombian singer Shakira, the Black Eyed Peas and Alicia Keys, as well as African stars Amadou & Mariam and Hugh Masekela.
Opening ceremony looking beautiful
"France will not make it out of their group"
"France will not make it out of their group"
Hate to disagree with a Chelsea and France man but, similar things were said during 2006 and look where we ended up...losing the final on penalties w/o our # 10...
Hate to disagree with a Chelsea and France man but, similar things were said during 2006 and look where we ended up...losing the final on penalties w/o our # 10...
France have lost some magic. They can no longer just rely on Henry. Ribery, Anelka and Malouda need to deliver because Uruguay and Mexico are no pushovers
Excellent photo gallery
http://g.sports.yahoo.com/soccer/wo...b516b3e6d76-getty-101920693bd048_opening_cere
http://g.sports.yahoo.com/soccer/wo...b516b3e6d76-getty-101920693bd048_opening_cere
Hate to disagree with a Chelsea and France man but, similar things were said during 2006 and look where we ended up...losing the final on penalties w/o our # 10...
well then you had zidane and i think ribery suddenly became a star
now who do you have except ribery.
hate to say henry is finished i dont see anelka scoring a lot of goals
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