World Cup local organising committee chief Danny Jordaan’s reported comment on a possible ban on the noisy vuvuzelas has caused quite a stir here.
Fans, local and foreign, are aghast that an instrument that symbolises South African football may be taken away. Even though an LOC spokesman, Rich Mkhondo, has reiterated that the plastic trumpets are not under any threat, many fans aren’t convinced.

For many neutral fans, the World Cup starts on June 15, as five-time champions Brazil open their campaign in a Group G match against North Korea at Ellis Park here on that date. A resplendent history and, more importantly, an enterprising playing style have made Brazil the most loved team in football. Fans, irrespective of their nationalities, will be ready to spend their bottom penny to watch the Brazilian artists at work.

Forget the noise of the vuvuzela distracting the players, it’s more the Jabulani football that is proving the bane of the 2010 World Cup participants so far.
Chief among the Adidas Fifa-approved football’s detractors unsurprisingly are goalkeepers — though England’s Robert Green cannot put it down to his howler in the 1-1 draw with the United States.

South Africa may not have any tulip trees, but with the seats of the Soccer City Stadium painted orange and a sea of fans all decked in the same colour, Holland started their World Cup campaign here on Monday with a 2-0 win in front of partisan fans on what seemed like home field.

No. 8115, Vilakazi Street, Orlando West, Soweto, Johannesburg is an address most South Africans are familiar with. The address is now a pilgrimage centre for foreign football fans. Former South African president Nelson Mandela lived at a quaint little house bearing No. 8115 from 1945 to 1958.

Tough on and off the field, Brazil defensive midfielder Felipe Melo is a lot like his coach Dunga, the man who excelled at the same role with the national team for nearly a decade.

Daniel Agger is aware that Denmark was simply not good enough in their two final warm-up matches for the World Cup, but said they will be ready for their opening Group E game against the Netherlands on Monday.

Out of the 30 referees selected to officiate at the World Cup only three are referees!

Aaron Mokoena has had a season with many highs and lows.

The footballing god descended on the Ellis Park Stadium in the flesh, here on Saturday afternoon. He wore a gray suit besides sporting a salt and pepper beard.