Feelgood factor: fans ride wave of Bafana’s success in a stadium again

It was a day 20 months in the making, and though there were fewer than 2,000 people present to mark the occasion, Tuesday October 12 will go down in South African history.

For it was on this day, for the first time since the outbreak of a global pandemic that has seen nearly 4.8-million people die and 240-million infected, that South Africans returned to watching live international sport as SA took on Ethiopia in a pivotal World Cup qualifier.

And just 10 minutes and 40 seconds into the game, those fans got what they would had hoped for — a Bafana Bafana goal. It was scrappy, with the ball bundled over the line from a corner, but it didn’t matter. After all, the scoresheet doesn’t say how the goal was scored.

Cheers rang out, with those 2,000 people trying their best to make up for the lack of spectators in the seats around them in Soweto’s nearly 95,000 capacity FNB Stadium.

Although there are not a lot of people, you can see that the few people who are here are really happy.

—  George Makubalo

And those cheers would continue throughout the match as the home team clung on for victory, putting the country at the top of its qualifying group and reigniting a hope for success that has been missing for years.

With just two matches to go — against Ghana and Zimbabwe — the undefeated Bafana have their destiny in their own hands. If they secure top spot, they play home and away against another group winner. Win that head-to-head encounter and the team will be headed for the World Cup.

But permutations weren’t on the fans’ minds on Tuesday night. There was dancing, singing and chanting in the stands as the final whistle rang out — the joy not just because of the victory, but also to mark a special occasion that, many fans told Sunday Times Daily, brought with it the promise of a return to pre-pandemic normality.

George Makubalo, who made the trip from Tshwane to the stadium, said it felt great to be back inside a stadium and to attend a live soccer game for the first time in almost two years. 

“I can’t believe we’re out here, but although there are not a lot of people, you can see that the few people who are here are really happy,” he said.

Adding to the joy was how the team played.

“The team is performing well. They gave us a brilliant goal,” he said.

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His wife, Margaret, said she was happy because it seemed that life was returning to normal. But she nearly didn’t make it in because of strict protocols, including ensuring that details on the tickets matched the person’s name and ID number, and that vaccination cards were being carried.

“They checked that everything corresponds. I was close to not being let in because I didn’t have my ID, though I had all the other documents. Fortunately, my husband had a copy of my ID with him,” she said.

She added that it was great to see the national team live again.

“The vibe is great. We are back to life. Though it will take a while for us to get used to the new way of doing events such as this, we will eventually get used to this new normal,” she said.

However, the evening was not completely without drama. One of the entrances had to be closed as fans without tickets tried to force their way in. About 70 fans made their way to the entrance just after 5.40pm, but police quickly intervened and dispersed the disgruntled fans.

Jeanette Lesisa, from Midrand, was among the first people to walk through the FNB Stadium gates and take up her seat.

It was a surreal feeling, she said, being with other fans and having to wear her mask, but it gave her hope that normality would return.

“I’m just happy to be able to see the game live,” she said.

Lelis Quintanille, from Mexico, has been living in SA for 10 months, and said she has always wanted to watch Bafana Bafana in action after her country and SA played out a thrilling 1-1 draw in the opening game of the 2010 World Cup.

Quintanille, who was attending with friends and colleagues, said though she could finally watch a game live, she was told she wouldn’t get the full SA experience largely because there would will be no vuvuzelas at the game.

“I’ve been looking forward to see the national team play. I came into the country at a time when spectators were not allowed in stadiums and I’m glad that this is happening today,” she said.